The Rugby Football Union have reportedly put together a three-man shortlist to replace Eddie Jones as England head coach after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The RFU expects to finalise its appointment in May – just four months before the tournament gets under way in France – and is set to reach out to all three candidates now that Bill Sweeney, its chief executive, is back from six weeks in New Zealand for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Sweeney had said that the successful candidate could be part of England’s management team at the World Cup. The RFU initially stated its preference was for an English head coach but that stance has softened
One possible candidate the RFU has missed out on is France defence coach guru Shaun Edwards.
“People have asked if I wanted to join England but there was no offer on the table,” wrote Edwards in his column for the Mail Online.
“I went for a walk down the River Thames with Bill Sweeney, the RFU CEO, last year but there’s not been much conversation since. It’s not for me to push that.
“We’re in a cost of living crisis, with clubs like Wasps and Worcester sadly going out of business.
“I remember how close I was to having no job after the 2015 World Cup and I don’t need any more of those sleepless nights.”
England’s Three-Man Shortlist to replace Jones:
#1. Scott Robertson
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