Eddie Jones confirmed departure from England following the 20223 Rugby World Cup has sparked speculation as to what the Aussie boss will do next.
Bookmakers' Betfair have priced up a list of potential destinations for Jones, with the Scotland national job surprisingly high on the list.
As widely reported, the USA are currently the 2/1 favourites to be Jones' next move.
Eddie Jones will leave his post as England boss following the Rugby World Cup
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Jones is on the brink of signing a long-term deal with the USA, which would see him coach the Eagles at their home World Cup in 2031.
Jones has previously been is given a lot of credit for the development of the Japanese national team prior to their home World Cup in 2019.
The Aussie, who would be 71 in 2031, famously led the Brave Blossoms to a historic win against the Springboks in 2015 is thought to be The Eagles top target.
USA bosses are under no illusion that the nations, who currently sit 19th in the Men’s World Rankings below the likes of Uruguay and Spain, have plenty of work to do to be competitive for their home World Cup.
RUCK understands that a return to Australia or a less likely move to Georgia are also viable options for the former Leicester hooker.
Eddie Jones next managerial job - Betfair odds
- USA - 2/1
- Australia - 5/1
- Georgia - 8/1
- Scotland - 15/1
- Wales - 30/1
Who will replace Eddie Jones?
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
#2. Steve Borthwick
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.
#3. Ronan O'Gara
The La Rochelle coach is seen as one of the front-runners to replace Eddie Jones after the World Cup, whether it’s as the head coach or working with his old Crusaders boss Scott Robertson.
O’Gara has previously said he would be interested in the job because of the calibre of players available, but this morning he admitted it would be a 'big leap'.
"There’s a lot to that, being the head man it’s very much your vision. Even two people who are very aligned sometimes don’t have the same vision.
“Then again, titles don’t really interest me too much and it’s just what role Scott would like to do, I would like to do and how you share responsibility.
“Even before that, it’s a big mental leap for me to decide upon.
“I wouldn’t have given that the time required, at the minute all I’ve said is that I wouldn’t rule it out, but if you were to commit to something like that I’d have to sit down with my family and work it out."
