He’s been sacked just nine months ahead of the World Cup
Eddie Jones has been sacked England head coach after seven years in the job.
The Australian coach was called to a meeting at Twickenham on Tuesday morning where he was informed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) that he had been removed from his position.
Reports had been swirling for several days that his job was at risk, and the RFU has now confirmed that sacking with the World Cup in France just nine months away.
In a statement, the RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said: “It is important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby, winning three Six Nations Championships, one Grand Slam and taking us to a Rugby World Cup Final.
“He has the highest win ratio of any previous England head coach and has helped develop the leadership skills of many players and coaches.
“I am grateful to Eddie for all he has done for England across many areas of the game and the professional way in which he has approached reviewing the performance of the team.
“He has provided the panel with astute insight and meaningful lessons that will support the team performance going forward.”
Following a review of the @autumnnations, Eddie Jones has been dismissed as England men’s head coach.
The RFU will conclude coach succession planning in the near future.
Read the full RFU statement here 👉 https://t.co/eyoWDAb6kd pic.twitter.com/QwiCg4vkci
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 6, 2022
Jones said: “I am pleased with much that we have achieved as an England team and I look forward to watching the team’s performance in the future.
“Many of the players and I will no doubt keep in touch and I wish them all well in their future careers.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl0wNEkMuKZ/
The decision to sack Jones comes off the back of a hugely disappointing 2022 for the men’s side, which saw the side lose six of their 12 matches this year, ending with comprehensive loss to South Africa at the end of November.
Jones’ contract was due to expire after the 2023 World Cup, but following a review of the dismal Autumn Nations Series, the RFU has decided to take action.
If Eddie Jones gets sacked it would have to be the silliest thing they could do to the English rugby team. He plans & plans & plans years in advance for this competition. It’s the one competition that he has got consistently right time and time again. Big mistake imo 🤯🤷🏼♂️
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) December 6, 2022
The 62-year-old has enjoyed huge success during his time in charge of the England side, guiding them to a Six Nations grand slam in 2016 and the another title the following year.
Then, in 2019, he took England to the World Cup final in a campaign that included a stunning win over New Zealand in the semi finals. But his side fell short, suffering a devastating loss to South Africa in the final.
If Eddie Jones is sacked it is bad timing before the World Cup but the correct decision as he has made us go backwards for 2 years. Picking players out of position and not picking players on form.
— Matt Hoade (@matthoade) December 6, 2022
Richard Cockerill will take charge of the “day to day running” of the side in the immediate future, but with the 2023 World Cup starting in September 2023, the RFU will not want to waste time in appointing a successor to Jones.
It is expected that former England captain and current Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick will take over the reigns of the national side.
Borthwick has overseen a remarkable turnaround at Leicester since being appointed in 2020, culminating in them winning the Premiership last season, their first triumph since 2013.
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