Nationality not factor after Eddie
EDDIE JONES’ successor as England rugby coach will be the best money can buy – regardless of nationality.
Australian coach Jones is contracted through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, after which he insists that he will “retire to Barbados to watch cricket”.
The 57-year-old’s stated aim was to leave the job after having prepared English coaches sufficiently so that the world’s richest union could hire a home-grown replacement.
Indeed, the Aussie’s senior coaching lieutenants are English duo Steve Borthwick (below) and Paul Gustard.
But RFU chief executive Steve Brown said last night that a winning record would be more likely to trump ownership of a British passport.
“The general opinion would be that the bar has been set very high by Eddie,” said Brown.
“He has been superbly successful and he will continue to be, right up to the World Cup as well.
“There is a standard that has been set there that shows what we need next time around.
“Ultimately, it is measured on winning – and that is where we have got to work to.”
Asked whether being English was a requirement for the role, Brown replied: “We simply want the best person for the job.”