Eddie Jones has been fired as the head coach of English rugby with immediate effect. The Australian was summoned to a conference at Twickenham on Tuesday morning and informed that his seven-year career as head coach of the national team had been dismissed due to a string of unsatisfactory defeats this season.
The Rugby Football Union made a bold decision just nine months before the 2019 Rugby World Cup in France. Steve Borthwick of Leicester remains the leading candidate to succeed the 62-year-old Jones, although forwards coach Richard Cockerill has been placed in interim charge for the time being.
Bill Sweeney, the RFU’s chief executive, said in a statement, “It is vital to recognize Eddie’s enormous contribution to English rugby, which includes winning three Six Nations Championships, one grand slam, and leading us to the Rugby World Cup final.
He has helped numerous players and coaches enhance their leadership qualities and has the highest winning percentage of any England head coach in history. I am grateful to Eddie for everything he has done for England in numerous facets of the game, as well as his professional approach to evaluating the team’s performance. He has supplied the panel with insightful advice and insights that will aid the team’s future success.”
Jones, whose 73% winning percentage in command of England was superior to any other Red Rose head coach, including World Cup-winning mastermind Sir Clive Woodward, said he was satisfied with what England accomplished under his leadership.
“I am satisfied with much of what we have accomplished as an England squad, and I look forward to future performances. Numerous athletes and I will undoubtedly remain in contact, and I wish them all the best in their future professions.”
Under Jones, England reached the final of the 2019 World Cup and won three Six Nations titles, including the grand slam in his first season in command in 2016. In 2017, they matched New Zealand’s record of 18 consecutive Test victories, although their performance has been less constant subsequently.
This year, England had their poorest performance since 2008, losing six of their 12 Test matches, drawing one, and winning five. They were victorious in only one of their four fall Tests.
The RFU board decided to terminate Jones on Tuesday. Tom Ilube, chairman of the RFU, commented on the decision as follows: “The independent review panel frequently updates the board on its deliberations and results. We endorse its methodology and recommendations.”
After England’s poor Six Nations campaign in March, the RFU endorsed Jones, saying it was “encouraged by the team’s solid improvement.” This confidence has not been shared by spectators, as a chorus of boos rang out at Twickenham following last month’s 27-13 loss to South Africa.
In light of Warren Gatland’s decision to return to Wales in the wake of Wayne Pivac’s ad hoc dismissal on Monday, the RFU has stated that its future coaching structure will be established “shortly.” On February 4, 2023, England will open their Six Nations season with a Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Twickenham.
Former Wallaby international Matt Giteau branded the decision to release Jones as “the stupidest thing they could do to the English rugby squad” and a “huge error” on Twitter.
