NINE months to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, it’s been confirmed that Eddie Jones has been sacked and is to be replaced by Leicester’s Steve Borthwick. The news is the most sought-after, following NFL odds.
The 62-year-old Australian-born coach has led England to three Six Nations championships and one Grand Slam since taking over in 2015. Jones is leaving England despite having the highest win percentage of any England Men’s Rugby coach in history (73%).
England reached the 2019 World Cup final under Jones’ guidance. However, fortunes have changed in 2022, as the team is producing its worst results since 2008.
Only one victory in November, and a yearly return of only five wins in the last 12 Tests, have created a gloomy atmosphere around the English game.
England’s most recent match was a 27-13 loss at home to current world champions South Africa.
Jones was strongly criticized by Woodward, who said last week that if England loses to Scotland in their next game, he should be fired.
“England is not just losing; they are going backward at an alarming rate of knots. As an England coach, you must care very much about what people think.
The RFU has to start getting tough on Jones.
He needs to feel some serious heat from his employers.
I would say to him: ‘Forget the next World Cup; if you lose your next game against Scotland in the Six Nations, you’re out of your job.’
If Jones has to get paid off, and we need to raise the money for that to happen, then so be it. I’m unsure how this ends for Jones, but it doesn’t look good.” He wrote in the Mail.
Jones responded, “I feel sad for him [Woodward]. If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he doesn’t have much to do.”
We confirmed Jones’ sack on Tuesday, 6th December 2022.
His contract was initially set to expire after the 2023 world cup, but after the dismal Autumn Nations Series, the RFU (Rugby Football Union) decided to end his contract in a bid to take action before the 2023 world cup in nine months.
Like NFL lines, we can see a genuine, diligent effort in play.
As a result, removing Jones from his position is estimated to cost the RFU between £650,000 and £700,000.
The RFU statement released Tuesday read: “Following a review of the autumn, Eddie Jones has been dismissed from the position of England Men’s Head Coach.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will now conclude the long-term work it has been undertaking on coach succession planning, with changes set to be announced shortly.
In the interim, Richard Cockerill will take over the day-to-day running of the men’s performance team.”
Bill Sweeney, the RFU CEO, expressed his appreciation for Jones’ work during his seven-year tenure, which included the most victory ratio of any England Coach. Like Vegas NFL odds, Jones had contributed astute insight and meaningful lessons to the Panel that would help team performance in the future.
Jones expressed his best wishes for England’s future. He said: “I am pleased with what we have achieved as an England team, and I look forward to watching the team’s performance in the future.
“Many players and I will no doubt keep in touch, and I wish them all well in their future careers.”
However, Australian legend Matt Giteau believes that dismissing the former coach was a mistake.
Before the sack, he tweeted, “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 for this competition. It’s the one competition that he has got the consistency right time and time again. Big mistake IMO [in my opinion].”
RFU Chair Tom Ilube commented on the decision: “The independent review panel regularly updates the board on its discussions and findings. We are fully supportive of its process and recommendations.”
