RFU Statement: Date set for crunch meeting with Eddie Jones
Rugby NewsFriday, 02 December 2022 at 13:47
It's been confirmed that Eddie Jones will fight for his job in a meeting with chief executive Bill Sweeney and the Rugby Football Union's review panel on Monday.
A source close to the head coach told The Telegraph that they have never seen Jones more motivated and that he wants to finish the job.
The review panel is set to meet on Monday, with the findings discussed at a board meeting on Tuesday.
An official announcement could then be made by the middle of next week.
Caretaker cotenders:
England are considering Richard Cokerill as an interim coaching option with Conor O’Shea and Warren Gatland also in the frame as Eddie Jones’ future looks increasingly uncertain.
There are growing indications English rugby’s governing body has lost patience with Jones, and the Aussie could be ousted from his position.
According to the Mail Online, The RFU 'is also considering Conor O’Shea as a possible interim head coach amid big doubts over future of Eddie Jones.'
The former Italy and Harlequins boss is currently part of the RFU review process into Jones and England’s worst year since 2008.
As reported earlier in the week, three-time Lions and former Wales boss Warren Gatland also in the frame for the part-time job.
RUCK also understands that former England hooker Richard Cockerill, who has coached Leicester and Edinburgh, is in the conversation to lead the men in white for the Six Nations.
Next England boss:
Current Leicester boss Steve Borthwick, who is the current favourite to land the role long-term, could then work with whoever before taking over after the World Cup.
Eddie Jones pay-off?
Sources suggest the Aussie will receive an £800,000 pay-out if he is sacked as England boss – but he wouldn’t be able to take another job before the Rugby World Cup.
The RFU had promised a review, but sources indicated they could act before that to bring down the curtain on Jones’s seven-year tenure with the 2003 World Cup winners.
The Mail Online have reported that senior RFU performance executive Conor O’Shea was canvassing players.
A function involving Jones, senior RFU figures and members of the media was scheduled to take place on Monday, December 5, but that has now been postponed.
O'Gara out of the race:
He is out of the running to replace Eddie Jones as England boss after he signed a new three-year contract with La Rochelle.
The legendary Ireland fly-half has not been shy with confirming his interest in the England job but is currently in an interesting position, serving a 10-week touchline ban in France.
That ban was handed down to him for “making remarks to a match official”, having already served a previous six-week suspension this season for “disrespecting the authority of a match official”.
However, today’s reports in the French media claim that O’Gara will in fact stay at La Rochelle and sign a contract that will keep him in the south of France until after the 2027 World Cup.
They say: “A three-year contract, which would lead the Irish coach until the 2027 World Cup, is simply awaiting the signature of the person concerned today.”
6 players who could swap nations, including England number 8 and Ireland scrum-half
Five current internationals could still swap nations for the Rugby World Cup next year if they choose to swap nations.
#1. John Cooney (Ireland to Scotland)
Cooney is eligible to play for the Scots, through his family, three years after his last Ireland appearance which came in February 2020.
"I'll make the decision on my own terms and whatever I feel is right for me," said the 32-year-old Ulster player.
"Half of my family live in Scotland and my dad's a proud Scotsman."
Cooney won the last of his 11 international caps as a replacement against England in the Six Nations and does not appear in the frame for a return under coach Andy Farrell.
#2. Nathan Hughes (England to Fiji)
The Bristol No.8 last played for England in 2018 and could make the switch to Fiji immediately having been born on the island.
Try Celebrations for Nathan Hughes of Bristol Bears of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate on 1 Jan. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Alex Lozowski (England to Italy)
'I feel an English bloke. At the moment that is where my loyalties lie, even if I'm not going to get picked," said Lozowski.
"That might not make sense to some people because they might think if I'm not getting picked for England, I may as well go and play for Italy. But I'm the type of player who needs to be all in to play for a team. At this stage of my career, I'm still passionately English.
Alex Lozowski of England commits a tackle during the Quilter International Match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on 17th November 2018. [Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK]
'Eddie Jones said it's up to me which at the end of the day it is. If I hadn't played for England then maybe I wouldn't feel as English as I do. Because I have, I have that attachment.'
'I always thought when I was growing up that it was peculiar you could play for more than one country. If I'm honest about it, my grandmother was Italian, but I've never lived in Italy.
"Potentially that got me considered for the squad, but sometimes being on standby is worse than being completely forgotten about!'
#4. George McGuigan (England to Ireland)
The 28-year-old, who is the second top try-scorer in the Gallagher Premiership with 14, continues to be overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones. Munster, who want to strengthen their hooking options, are now reportedly keeping tabs on the Newcastle Falcons’ ace according to The Rugby Paper.
Gallagher Premiership Rugby player of the month for March is Newcastle Falcons, George McGuigan who poses with his Gallagher Player of the Month Trophy. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Gallagher
#5. Ruaridh McConnochie (England to Scotland)
As the name suggests, he is eligible to play for Scotland through his Scottish father. Won his only cap back in 2019.
#6. Zach Mercer (England to New Zealand or Scotland)
The Montpellier back-row played for Scotland at U16 and U18s age-grades through residency, and hasn’t played for England since 2018. If he is overlooked by Eddie Jones for the 2023 World Cup, Mercer may consider a last minute switch.
Zach Mercer of Bath Rugby looks dejected after losing during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground on 14 May. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
