Eddie wants more control of stars
eDDIe JONeS is understood to be open to continuing as england head coach until the next World Cup — subject to assurances about closer management of the country’s leading players. The 59-year-old is due to meet RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney within the next fortnight to discuss the possibility of extending his contract, which expires in August 2021, until the end of the next global showpiece in France 2023. his union employers are determined to retain the services of the Australian who guided the national team to the final of this year’s tournament.
Sportsmail first reported back in May that Jones would consider staying in his post for another World Cup campaign and despite the shattering nature of last Saturday’s 32-12 defeat against South Africa, sources have indicated that he is still interested in prolonging his tenure. however, amid speculation Down Under that Jones could be offered a second stint in charge of the Wallabies, he is in a position to make demands. It is thought that player workload is a priority issue which the RFU will have to take steps to address. Top english players endure a more gruelling schedule and shorter rest periods than counterparts in the Southern hemisphere, Ireland and Wales, and Jones is known to covet greater control over his leading assets, before and after Six Nations and autumn Test series. Sweeney might need to set aside additional union funds to compensate clubs in return for enhanced access to their star men. Michael Cheika resigned as head coach of Australia after his team’s quarter-final defeat at the hands of england. There were strong rumours that Dave Rennie, the Kiwi in charge of Glasgow, was set to be named as Cheika’s replacement but he has sparked intrigue by revealing that he has also been sounded-out about the vacant New Zealand job. Suggestions that Australia may lose out on Rennie have increased calls for the country’s rugby officials to move heaven and earth to bring back Jones. Meanwhile, Jones is set to work next week with some of the men whose World Cup final exploits wrecked england’s dreams of global glory. he will oversee a Barbarians squad featuring some of the Springboks’ heroes in Yokohama; notably scrum destroyer-in-chief, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, winger Makazole Mapimpi, who scored a try against england, and centre Lukhanyo Am, who created it. The invitational side are taking on Fiji at Twickenham on November 16.