Geech on RFU panel reviewing Jones’ fate

EDDIE JONES’ future in English rugby will be decided by a panel including Phil de Glanville, Jonathan Webb and Scot Sir Ian McGeechan.

The identities of the review team have been shrouded in secrecy but The Mail on

Sunday can reveal three figures who are helping decide the future of English rugby. Jones will learn his fate later this week but the head coach is expecting to be sacked before Christmas after just five wins from 12 Tests in 2022.

With the mood in the RFU hierarchy shifting after a poor autumn campaign, Jones will attempt to save his job in a meeting tomorrow with RFU CEO Bill Sweeney and members of the review panel. The panel has been in place since 2019 but the RFU would not comment on the inclusion of former England internationals De Glanville, 54, Webb, 59, and Scotland and Lions legend McGeechan, 76.

One of Jones’ advisors, David Pembroke, increased tensions this week when he accused Sweeney of briefing against the head coach.

Pembroke called the CEO ‘Slippery Bill’ and subsequently apologised.

Jones spent last weekend in France on a World Cup recce, while it has been business as usual for his assistant coaches who were on scouting missions at Premiership games yesterday. However, their tenures could end abruptly this week if the RFU, who have cancelled tomorrow’s Christmas drinks, decide it is time for change.

The RFU have already held talks with Steve Borthwick and

Scott Robertson about taking over after the 2023 World Cup. With that tournament just nine months away, they will need to act fast and could sign up one of them immediately if Jones goes. British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has emerged as a short-term alternative but Wales are also looking at the New Zealander as a potential replacement for Wayne Pivac.