Eddie the Eagle?

Eddie Jones is on the brink of agreeing to an eight-year deal to coach the United States in a move that will have knock-on implications for the search for the next Wallabies coach.

As international coaches jockey to firm up their post-World Cup plans, with Scott Robertson emerging as a strong contender for the England job, it appears Jones has been courted by USA Rugby to coach the Eagles through until the 2031 World Cup, which will be held on US soil.

It is a big play for the governing body which, only two years ago, filed for bankruptcy amid the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Eagles failed to qualify for next year’s tournament. It is a fixit job for which Jones is wellsuited, having laid the foundation for a competitive Japan test side in his time there between 2012 and 2015. It is also a big call for Jones, who has clearly cooled on the notion of an Australian homecoming after finishing up an eight-year stint with England.

The deal is not set in stone, with Georgia – fresh from beating Wales at the weekend – also courting the former Randwick hooker, the Herald understands.