Reports suggest that Warren Gatland would be the RFU’s primary choice to replace head coach Eddie Jones, who remains under significant pressure heading into the 2022 Six Nations.
Despite a positive Autumn Nations Series, two fifth-place finishes in the last three years of the European showpiece haven’t been forgotten by the governing body.
He went into the 2021 Six Nations demanding that England become “an impossible side to play against”. Unfortunately, Scotland, Wales and Ireland didn’t buy into such an idea as they all inflicted defeats on the men in white.
As a result, The Rugby Paper suggested following the dismal finish that the Rugby Football Union had sounded out Gatland amid doubts over the future of Jones.
They further said in that report that Gatland is “house-hunting in the Twickenham area ahead of a potential post-Lions tour move to the capital, but it is understood nothing has been signed”.
This weekend, the publication once again suggested that the three-time British & Irish Lions coach is available if they want him.
Gatland ruled himself out of coaching England in 2019, saying: I can tell you definitively now I will not be coaching England, there is no way, unless I put a blazer on or something! I think my coaching path is going to take a different direction.”
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England next head coach odds (Oddschecker)
#5. Andy Farrell – 22/1
The irony with Farrell is that he is arguably the most obvious candidate and fits the role as well as anyone, but he might be the toughest for the RFU to land due to his long-term deal with Ireland.
