Eddie Jones has been speaking following his sacking by England earlier this week, just nine months out from the Rugby World Cup.
The Aussie has spent the weekend coaching kids at Barnes RFU, which was an engagement he planned before being dismissed earlier this week.
“In this job I’ve learnt it’s impossible to avoid being moved on,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It comes with the gig. But I’m proud of what we accomplished in my time here [with England], and I wish I had the opportunity to finish what I started."
“All the critics are having their say,” he added.
“My only response is that I have coached a certain way my whole career, and I’m happy with that, and I’m not about to change anything when it comes to my dedication, expectations and determination to get things done. I’m not going to get into anything more than that.
"Jones didn’t go into too much detail about his next venture but said: “I think everyone knows I love a scrap, and I’m up for whatever challenge is next.
“I’m open to looking at everything in rugby, and I’ve made no secret of my wish to give the NRL a go, too. Nothing is off the table. Nothing. It’s all about the right job at the right time, and I’ll look at it all.”
Next England Rugby Head Coach odds:
#8. Gareth Southgate - 500/1
#7. Jonny Wilkinson - 50/1
#6. Sir Clive Woodward - 30/1
Sir Clive Woodward watches Chelsea v Manchester United from the stands at Stamford Bridge. - Photo mandatory by-line: Dan Weir/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 18/04/15 - SPORT - Football- Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League - Premiership - Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London.
#5. Rob Baxter - 15/1
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on 23 Apr. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#4. Mark McCall - 10/1
#3. Scott Robertson - 4/1
Mike Brown, the former England fullback who captained the Barbarians against Harlequins, wrote in his Mail on Sundaycolumn that he was “convinced” Robertson would be the “perfect successor” to Jones.
Scott Robertson facts:
- Robertson showed huge ambition as he outlined a goal to win the World Cup with two different countries
- His position as a player was flanker and he played for Bay of Plenty, Perpignan, Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks
- Robertson is known for his post victory match break dancing routine
#2. Richard Cockerill - 3/1
#1. Steve Borthwick - 2/1
The former England captain worked with Jones for five years in the England set-up as forwards coach, and a further three years as assistant coach in Japan before that.
Having taken charge of the Tigers in 2020, Borthwick has overseen a huge turnaround at the club, transforming them from Premierships strugglers to pace-setters at the top of the table.
Steve Borthwick and Neal Hatley talk before the Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
As such, his is a name very much linked to the England post.
The Leicester job is the first head coaching gig in his career, however, so the 42-year-old would be thrown in very green.
Borthwick, who picked up 57 Test caps as a player between 2001 and 2010, recently said he has "enough on my plate" at Leicester, but if England did come calling, it would be hard for him to say no.
Sources suggest the Aussie will receive between £700,000 and £800,000 pay-out. To land Borthwick from Leicester would require a payout in the region of £200,000 to get Tigers to release him from his current contract.
