Farrell might have been next boss

INCOMING Ireland head coach Andy Farrell would have been a contender to replace Eddie Jones as England boss, says RFU interim chief Nigel Melville. The Ireland defence coach will replace Joe Schmidt when the New Zealander stands down after the World Cup. But Melville says the former England cross-code international would have been a candidate to return to Twickenham when Jones departs.

“He would have been on our radar, of course he would. He’s an English coach, and all English coaches we are talking to now. But obviously Andy won’t be available,” said Melville. Farrell was part of Stuart Lancaster’s backroom team from 2012 to 2015, but was not kept in his role by Jones when the Australian was appointed following the 2015 World Cup.