Eddie Jones: England boss linked with return to Australia after next year’s World Cup – report

Dylan Coetzee

2HN16NC Rome, Italy. 13th Feb, 2022. Eddie Jones Head coach of England during the Six Nations 2022 trophy rugby match between Italy and England in Roma, Olimpico stadium, Februari 12th, 2022. Photo Antonietta Baldassarre/Insidefoto Credit: insidefoto srl/Alamy Live News

England head coach Eddie Jones has reportedly been approached by Rugby Australia (RA) to join their coaching structure in 2027.

The Australian-born coach is under contract with England until the 2023 Rugby World Cup; after that, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) will hire another candidate to lead the side. Earlier this year, RFU chairman Bill Sweeney claimed an Englishman would be preferable to replace Jones.

RA remain committed to current head coach Dave Rennie until the Rugby World Cup despite a poor win percentage of only 39% since taking on the hot-seat in 2019.

There is a possibility that Rennie will receive a contract extension before next year’s showpiece tournament in France until the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, but that will be dependent on the Wallabies‘ performance for the remainder of 2022.

Returning home?

Jones would likely be drafted into a director of rugby role as RA wants the tactician to return to where he belongs, according to several reports in Australia. The 62-year-old previously coached Australia to a World Cup final in 2003 until he was relieved of his duties after a tricky 2005 season.

It is understood that RA see Jones as the ideal candidate to oversee the Wallabies’ development going into the 2027 Rugby World Cup at home in Australia.

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