England: Sale boss singles out Mark McCall and Andy Farrell to succeed Eddie Jones

Alex Sanderson has suggested that the Rugby Football Union should consider appointing Mark McCall or Andy Farrell as Eddie Jones’ replacement.

The search for the next England coach has already begun as Jones’ contract expires after next year’s World Cup.

Englishman preferred

Jones’ successor will likely be an Englishman and may shadow the Australian in France next year.

Leicester Tigers coach Steve Borthwick is one of the favourites to take the role, but Sale director of rugby Sanderson believes McCall and Farrell are more suitable choices.

McCall has been in charge of Saracens for 11 years, and Farrell has built a powerful Irish team that could be contenders for the World Cup.

“I think Mark is ready for it now. He’s got my vote. He’d be great for it. If Ireland don’t want him, or maybe they could do a swapsies between Andy Farrell and Mark! I don’t know how those things work,” Sanderson said.

“They’re both really good coaches. Any international team would be lucky to have them. It’s important that the powers that be get an understanding of what that head coach role looks like, and needs to be.

“I’ll go back again and wax lyrical about Mark McCall, who’s just a bona fide legend in my eyes. He’s got to be one of the most underrated coaches.

“How has he not picked up international honours in his tenure at Sarries when he’s won everything multiple times over?”

Farrell is committed to the Irish cause and will not be able to shadow Jones at the showpiece event, meaning Borthwick is in pole position after serving as assistant to Jones with Japan and England.

“Steve’s definitely got experience. I would say he was the forerunner right now given his track record this year as well,” Sanderson said.

“He’d be brilliant. I’m sure he’s got work to do at Leicester, but he’s ambitious isn’t he? He went straight from playing to coaching Japan. That can’t have been easy.

“And then straight from an assistant to this Leicester role, which I know is not easy. He’s nailed them both. Where’s the ceiling for Steve Borthwick? He hasn’t reached it yet.”

READ MORE: Steve Borthwick has ‘enough on his plate’ at Leicester