Eddie Jones loses another coach - fans pick their replacement

Current defence coach Anthony Seibold in line to be the new head coach of Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.

The Australian switched to coaching union to join England in 2021 but he is also a coaching mentor at the Newcastle Knights.

Jones praised Seibold when he was appointed in 2021 and said: “He is a good coach and thinks deeply about the game. John Mitchell did a great job improving us in defence and Anthony will add further nuances to the good system that he has put into place.”

The coach says his time with England has re-ignited his love of rugby. He told :

“It has really, really invigorated me in a lot of ways because I have been coaching for a long time, but I am not an expert in the Xs and Os of rugby union.

“I have been learning – in some ways learning on the run. I have clarity around what I need to do and the way I need to prepare the group, the way Eddie has explained it to me – just think of yourself as the head coach of the defence.”

Fans have already called for Shaun Edwards to join the England set-up, though the Englishmen is currently under contract with France until 2025.

One fan said: "Time to bring Shaun Edwards home."

"Stump up the cash RFU, Shaun Edwards is the man we need," said a second.

The rugby league legends, who has coached Wasps, Wales and now France, was a columnist for the Guardian back in 2010 and made his bold selection.

FB: Mils Muliaina (New Zealand) - This guy ticks most of the boxes. Made his Super Rugby debut in 2001, his international debut against England in 2003 and 92 Test caps later is getting better and better. Quick and incisive, a key part of the All Blacks' counter-punching game. 

LW: Jason Robinson (England) - "I'm biased but he is the only northern-hemisphere player to score a try while winning a World Cup final. Run close by Doug Howlett."

OC: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) - "Announced himself with a stunning hat-trick against France in 2000 and continues to shine."

IC: Tana Umaga (New Zealand) - "One of the most liked and respected men in rugby – despite the incident with O'Driscoll in 2005."

RW: Bryan Habana (South Africa) - "World Cup winner and a great club man who helped turn the Blue Bulls from a joke into the best province in the world but he was run close by Shane Williams, veteran of 75 Tests with Wales and his country's leading try scorer."

FH: Dan Carter (New Zealand) - "Should it be Carter or Jonny Wilkinson? Difficult. Each the best on his day but Carter's Super Rugby record with his province, Canterbury, and his stand-out performances against the 2005 Lions with the All Blacks – one of the best sides I've ever seen – tip the argument."

SH: George Gregan (Australia) - "Anyone who plays behind an Australia pack for so long deserves anything that's going. Gregan survived and flourished 139 times, winning the World Cup in 1999, and was also a considerable force with the Brumbies in Super Rugby from 1996 onwards."

LP: Os du Randt - "Winner of two World Cups – in 1995 and 2007 – which makes him special and the most capped Springbok forward when he retired after beating England in Paris."

HK: John Smit - "Another of the 2007 Springbok front row and the inspiration for his team."

TP: Phil Vickery - "Not too many tighthead props last the course but Vickery, despite injuries, made two World Cup finals and picked up the Heineken Cup and Premiership titles after moving to Wasps."

LK: Simon Shaw (England) - "Again the Edwards bias may be showing through but I would argue that for the 10 years in question Shaw would be the man packing down behind the tighthead."

LK: Victor Matfield (South Africa) - "Never seen anyone better in the lineout. Ben Kay and Paul O'Connell are up there but Matfield is the best. Remember the seven steals against England in the 2007 final?"

FL: Rocky Elsom - "Difficult but I put the Australia captain a short head in front of the Springbok Schalk Burger, because of his heroics during Leinster's winning Heineken Cup campaign."

FL: Richie McCaw (New Zealand) - "You can't look past the All Black captain but George Smith and Serge Betsen have their followers."

N8: Lawrence Dallaglio (England) - "Simply the best captain I have ever known and one of those guys who was in at the start of my coaching career. Two World Cup finals, two Heineken Cups, four Premiership championships and a couple of Anglo‑Welsh cups says it all."