Four sides linked to Eddie Jones as one Test side goes public in bid for coach

For a man deemed to be surplus to requirements by the Rugby Football Union – Eddie Jones sure is a man in demand.

The RFU sacked the Aussie battler in response to a dreadful autumn that concluded England’s worst campaign in 14 years, comprising of six defeats, a draw and five wins.

Jones was contracted until the end of next year’s World Cup but now looks set to be replaced by his former number two Steve Borthwick.

Jones’ dismissal has created a feeding frenzy for sides seeking out his coaching skills. Here are the four options for the 62-year-old, who this weekend told the Sydney Morning Herald that ‘nothing is off the table’.

AUSTRALIA
Rugby Australia have made no bones about their desire to have Jones back involved, even before he got the heave-ho last week. This weekend Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan pretty much said they want Jones back in Australian rugby, preferably to help mastermind their Rugby World Cup bid next year.

‘Eddie is clearly a massive talent and campaigner in World Cups,’ McLennan told the Daily Mail. ‘We’ve got Dave Rennie in place but we need to think how we can weaponise these recent events for Australia if Eddie wants to come home.’

USA RUGBY
The USA, who relieved Gary Gold of his duties this week in the wake of their failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, are said to be interested in Jones as a replacement. The Australian’s ability to get the most of an underdog side at Rugby World Cups is well-known, not least steering Japan to victory over the Springboks in 2015.

World Rugby are assisting USA Rugby on what’s next for the struggling North Americans and Jones is believed to be viewed as an option to come in to steer the Eagles over an eight-year period leading into their hosting of the 2031 Rugby World Cup.  Jones is a hands-on coach, so what his role would be is unclear. Given the nature of their Test schedule, any role with the US would presumably allow Jones the ability to coach and consult elsewhere.

NRL
One persistent rumour would see Jones swap rugby union for league and the bright light of Australia’s NRL. He has been repeatedly linked South Sydney Rabbitohs. Jones’ affinity for the 13-man code is well known and he clearly puts a lot of stock in how they think about the game, considering he has leaned so heavily on rugby league coaches over the years.

“I like the game,” said Jones back in July. “If there was an opportunity there would jump at it, but the reality is it’s probably not going to be there.

A Rabbitohs switch seems like a long-shot though. For an NRL side to take a punt on a rugby union guru as a head coach would be unprecedented, not matter how much Jones would like to coach his childhood side. Could work with them in a consultancy capacity? Absolutely.

CASTRES OLYMPIQUE
Castres Olympique head coach Pierre-Henry Broncan says that Jones is set to join the Top 14 side as a consultant. The Castres coach said last week: “Eddie Jones will be on the market and he will quickly be picked up by a club or a nation, he will not be free for long. For the moment in a period like this, he needs to breathe, to put himself aside a little ”.