England reveal latest coaching hire is hockey guru

Former Great Britain Hockey coach Danny Kerry has joined the England staff as training coordinator, the RFU have revealed.

Kerry – who was bestowed with an MBE in 2017 for his exploits in hockey – is someone Jones has known for a “long-time” and will be hoping will ramp up England’s coaching efficiencies.

Kerry previously spent 17 years at Great Britain Hockey, where he was the most successful coach in their history. He led Team GB’s women’s field hockey to a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Meanwhile, England Rugby confirmed that Joe Lewis will move to a full-time senior analyst role, working closely with forwards coaches Richard Cockerill and Matt Proudfoot.

Jones said: “I’ve known Danny for a long time and his depth and breadth of coaching knowledge will be a real asset to us as staff as we work towards becoming the best coaching team in the world.

“Joe will move back to an analyst role where he has a real impact and suits his strengths and skills.”

At the moment, the key for Jones might be in hanging on to coaching talent.

There’s been a lot of coaching turnover under Jones’ regime. The latest heading to the exit is Australian Anthony Seibold. England look set to lose the former rugby league coach to the NFL, which will make him the latest defence coach to pack his bags after New Zealander John Mitchell left the set-up last year.

According to Aussie media, Seibold is set to be named as the new Manly Sea Eagles head coach. The Australian was recruited just one year ago to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of Mitchell to Wasps, but it’s now being reported that the prospect of coaching at the 2023 World Cup will not be enough to convince Seibold to delay his return to the NRL.