Players to be consulted over Jones’ England future
England’s players will have a key input into the review process that could seal the fate of head coach Eddie Jones today – and the appointment of his successor if he is dismissed.
Jones is fighting for his job ahead of a crunch meeting with Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney today and will present his plan through to the World Cup in France next year.
Jones appears to be resigned to his fate, however, after England finished with their worst record in a calendar year since 2008, with five wins, a draw and six defeats, including a second successive fifth place in the Six Nations. Steve Borthwick is understood to be the leading candidate to replace him.
Sweeney has led a review along with an anonymous panel into the national side’s poor autumn series, which included just one win, against Japan, and it is understood that Conor O’shea, the RFU’S director of performance, has guaranteed anonymity to any player providing feedback to the review.
The input of the England players is likely to have an influential role, and this should strengthen Borthwick’s hand. He is known to be highly regarded by the playing group and has detailed knowledge of the Premiership, having guided Leicester to the title last season.
The RFU has already held talks with Borthwick, who had been lined up to succeed Jones when the latter’s contract ends after next year’s World Cup. It is now considering fast-tracking that appointment.
The Leicester director of rugby, who was Jones’s right-hand man at
Japan and then for four years with England, would be best-placed to hit the ground running if the Australian is sacked with just five competitive matches left before the World Cup in France,
The only other contender is Warren Gatland, and the RFU could be tempted by his impressive track record with Wales and the British and Irish Lions. However, it is thought any role with England would be only a short-term one to the World Cup, which may not appeal to the New Zealander, who is already understood to be considering a return to Wales.