Eddie Jones’ seven-year stint in England appears to be coming to an end after reports that he will be sacked on Tuesday.
The Australian has been at the helm for seven years, but according to daily mailHis work is unlikely to survive yesterday’s talks with the RFU as part of a review of England’s dismal autumn results.
A lone win over Japan and a hard-fought comeback against New Zealand couldn’t hide defeats to South Africa and Argentina as the World Cup was only a year away.
The defeat in South Africa was another blow for the manager, who had endured several heatwaves with rabid fans at Twickenham.
Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick and New Zealander Scott Robertson are the frontrunners to take over.
Borthwick is a former ally of Jones, having worked with him in Japan and England before joining Leicester, with whom he won the Premier League. Since he is still under contract with the champions, a move to England must be preceded by negotiations.
England’s pool of potential replacements narrowed on Monday as Wales announced the return of their former head coach Warren Gatland.
The RFU insisted that Jones would not be ejected so close to the Six Nations and the 2023 World Cup, although reports surfaced this weekend that other coaches were considering resigning if Jones was not sacked. It is understood that the players were also consulted about his future.
The 62-year-old led England to the 2019 World Cup final and won the Six Nations tournament three times, including a Grand Slam in 2016, but 2022 was England’s best year since 2008.