It’s been revealed tonight that former Wales boss Warren Gatland is open to taking charge of England on a caretaker basis if Eddie Jones is axed by the RFU.
The Mail Online have revealed that they are set to make a move for Gatland if they sackJones following dire autumn campaign that saw them win just one of their four matches.
Current Leicester boss Steve Borthwick, who is the current favourite to land the role long-term, could then work with Kiwi before taking over after the World Cup.
Eddie Jones pay-off?
Sources suggest the Aussie will receive an £800,000 pay-out if he is sacked as England boss – but he wouldn’t be able to take another job before the Rugby World Cup.
The RFU had promised a review, but sources indicated they could act before that to bring down the curtain on Jones’s seven-year tenure with the 2003 World Cup winners.
The Mail Online have reported that senior RFU performance executive Conor O’Shea was canvassing players.
A function involving Jones, senior RFU figures and members of the media was scheduled to take place on Monday, December 5, but that has now been postponed.
Below, we take a look at the team we think Gatland name for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
- 11. Elliot Daly (Saracens)
Kick your penalties from wherever or whenever is something Gatland has always pushed. That explains Daly’s shock selection in the 2021 Lions squad due to his ability to slot kicks from over 50m out. Radwan’s performances so far this season make him the front runner for the other shirt.
Gatland wrote: ” Freddie is exceptional in the air and I also really like the way he has been developing as a full-back. He offers an attacking threat, and scores tries.
CENTRES:
- 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
- 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
A powerhouse ball carrier on the inside with a more technical playmaker on the outside is a staple of Gatland sides down the years, with the partnership of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies coming to mind. Tuilagi is without doubt England’s best big man to be the first received while Slade’s performances for Chiefs have been consistently excellent so far this season.
