And with that, Eddie Jones has left the hot seat of England rugby. An RFU panel found, after a short review, that England’s recent form under Jones was not good enough and relieved him of his duties. Some are thrilled with this decision. Some despair. Some simply do not know what to make of the news.
Today, I will to try make sense of a situation with many moving parts, as one of rugby’s most divisive figures finds himself out in the wilderness - but presumably not for long. What next for England, who find themselves at sea with no captain, despite boasting a healthy crew and cargo?
The Eddie Jones era
This period of English rugby has been, statistically, a success. Jones boasts the most successful win percentage of any England Head Coach, whilst winning three Six Nations titles, including one Grand Slam, and reaching the 2019 World Cup final. A 3-0 series win in Australia in 2016 and a 2-1 series win in the same location this summer bolster his CV with England. The slightly less glamorous accolade of winning the Covid-stricken Autumn Nations Cup in 2020 cannot be taken away from our Eddie either.
Along the way, there has been some real classics on the pitch. Jones’ reign began with a record-equalling 18 game unbeaten streak for a men's team. A win in Paris in 2016 sealed a Grand Slam Six Nations title at the first time of asking. All three tests down under in 2016 were like a fever dream, particularly Jamie George’s kick through for Owen Farrell to dot down to secure the series in the second test, before England won a points frenzy in the third. The dismantling of Scotland at Twickenham in 2017 on the way to winning the Six Nations will always be on the tip of a gloating Englishman’s tongue when in slanging match with a rival fan from north of the border. The 2017 tour to Argentina might not receive plaudits, but it was absolutely vital for Jones’ entire era. Young players blooded and experienced heads taking their levels of responsibility further, Eddie Jones set his stall out with that tour. Joe Cokasigna burst onto the international scene in the autumn of 2018 with a barnstorming performance in a solid win over Australia. The smash and grab win in Dublin in 2019 was England swaggering at their very best. They shot out the gates like thoroughbred racehorses, scoring early tries and dominating Ireland with physicality and tenacity. The quarter final win over Australia in Japan is, in my eyes, an often unfairly forgotten game (for what came next, I suppose). From the offset in that game, England were as powerful and fast as a runaway train which could not be stopped. And indeed, they could not be stopped the next week against New Zealand in the semi final either. For all of the bad times under Jones, no one can take away from him or that playing group that game against the All Blacks. For me, as someone who was merely six years old when Jonny Wilkinson slotted over that drop goal in Sydney in 2003 so simply cannot remember it, this is my favourite and best memory of England. It was the kind of game you would never forget - the pace, the drama, Owen Farrell’s smile. It was all perfect. England were on top of the world. Sadly, it came crashing down the following week and, perhaps, the following three years. The win of the Covid-dominated 2020 Six Nations in front of empty stadia should not be underestimated as an achievement. The psychological change from being in front of packed out arenas to eerie echoes effected many teams across different sports, but England were un-phased in their triumph. From there, 2022’s victorious, if eventful, tour to Australia cannot be forgotten. Jones is the only England head coach to oversee a series win in Australia - let alone do it twice.
The Eddie Jones tenure certainly hasn’t been plain sailing. For all the excitement of his first two years, life under Jones post-World Cup final has been tricky. The final itself seems to have carried a lot of baggage for Jones and this group of players. Mullered in the scrum, outfought and out-thought across the pitch, the South African domination that day clearly took a lot out of coach and player. As recently as this autumn, Jones admitted you never forget such a loss. Captain Farrell also said the loss comes round in his mind from time to time. Jones' approach after that loss shifted. He clearly wanted to exorcise the demons, burning through a host of players from then until his sacking. Jones' squads post-2019 have suggested confusion and an identity crisis on his part. Post-final, in the 2020 Six Nations, several Saracens players were frozen out. England won that tournament, but Jones' tumultuous relationship with selection was now in full swing. Jones had been no stranger to giving players a few, or even one, game before dumping them from the playing squad to never be seen again. Marland Yarde, Temaina Harrison and Luther Burrell suffered this fate during the 2016 tour of Australia. Ted Hill and Alex Lozowski have not been seen in a white shirt since the infamous home win over Japan in 2018. Danny Care had seemingly suffered the same fate, before a call up to Australia in 2022 saw him being ejected from the field in the first half of the third test. He has also not been seen since. Billy Vunipola was firebombed out of the squad after a disappointing Six Nations in 2021, only to return this year. Jones is well known for wanting to keep players on their toes at all time. However it seemed as though some of this perceived indecision was simply indecision. Picking Championship-based Saracens players in the 2021 Six Nations certainly did not pay off, with England finishing fifth with two wins to their name. This year's Six Nations was similarly poor, with only two wins coming, despite a flattering third placed finish. Jones' lack of faith in players' Premiership form will always be a stick to beat him with. Sam Simmonds was ignored, only for Warren Gatland to call him up to the British and Irish Lions. Ben Earl has been omitted despite dazzling form. Adam Radwan was another to make a seemingly token appearance, with his absence now difficult to understand after a raft of sensational try scoring appearances for Newcastle Falcons. Ollie Lawrence has ripped it up for Worcester and now Bath since his exit from the squad. Even one of Jones' former loyal lieutenants George Ford could not break the squad after a title-winning campaign with Leicester Tigers. A lack of faith in the only pool Eddie Jones could pick from would always end up costing him.
Whilst England may have been a fluid and exciting, but pragmatic, side early in Jones' tenure, kicking became the name of the game in the last two years. Kicking is always going to be the key aspect of this sport. The way the game is played now, the team which kicks the most tends to win. However, for entertainment value, box kicking and endless kick tennis between fullbacks is not high on the list of priorities for fair-weather or committed fans. And this is where problems have developed amongst the fan base. When you consider many of the Twickenham faithful have scraped together enough cash to pay the astronomical ticket, food and pint prices, you cannot bemoan their grumbles at perceived boring rugby. I am always of the opinion that if you are winning, who cares how you are playing. Many are of a similar opinion. However, as both the excitement and wins dried up for England, fans were understandably on Jones' back. Very few realistic fans were expecting England to turn into Harlequins and chuck it around from everywhere. However, the style had become turgid, and it was posited that players did not want to take risks. A lot has been made of Marcus Smith's decision to kick the ball out at the end of England's draw with New Zealand this autumn. No one will truly know why Smith chose to kick that ball out, but it has led to ferocious clamouring from the fans, media and ex-players for Jones to instill some confidence in these players.
Selection and playing style are not the only aspects to dominate the Jones regime. His character and relationship with the media have often led to the Australian to ruffle feathers, amongst friends and foe alike. The Jose Mourinho style mind games and "shit talk" are a part of who Jones is, love it or hate it. Being a tempestuous figure was always going to result in trouble. Recent swipes at the RFU, CEO Bill Sweeney and the Twickenham faithful were a sign of issues on the horizon. Jones was even rebuked by the RFU in August this year for criticising the English game’s perceived reliance on private schools in providing talent. Perhaps the seemingly misaligned values and opinions of coach and union played a factor in this situation.
Was this the right decision?
This is the £750,000 a year question. Based on the results and fan feeling of the last two years, this was the correct call for the RFU to make. Elite sport is a results business, and the results have not been there. Customer is king, and many fans are not happy with the product being served up. This playing squad needs a rocket up it and this decision could do just that (appointment depending). There is a Six Nations around the corner. Off the back of a dreadful autumn, a poor Six Nations would have been too late for England to get rid of Eddie and bring a new man in. Sacking Jones nine months out from a World Cup in December 2022 is very different from staring down the barrel of a World Cup once the final whistle blows on Ireland v England on March 18 next year, with England potentially stuck with their man, or scrambling for a quick fix.
My only niggling issue with this decision is Eddie Jones's World Cup pedigree. A finalist with Australia and England in 2003 and 2019 respectively. A technical advisor who won plaudits for his role in South Africa's 2007 victory in France. Taking Japan to the cusp of pool qualification in 2015, with the Miracle of Brighton win over South Africa sparking international attention and praise. A 90% win record at Rugby World Cups. If there's one thing Eddie Jones knows, it's the World Cup. However, does an alleged constant focus on the World Cup excuse poor form in the Six Nations and Autumn series? According to the RFU, it does not anymore. I think I agree with them. I do not want to sit on the fence, as I do think this was the correct decision. Jones himself did an interview a few years ago, where he said his time with Australia went "stale" after six years in charge. Perhaps the same has occurred here. Nothing lasts forever, and we both know hearts can change, as Axl Rose once crooned. In this case, Eddie Jones found it hard to hold a candle in the cold November Rain or, rather, Autumn Test Series.
So who next?
Realistically, the list of potential replacements is short. First, those who are unavailable. Ronan O’Gara has recently signed a new deal with La Rochelle and publicly ruled himself out of the running. Shaun Edwards is tethered down to a contract with France until 2027. Andy Farrell has pledged allegiance to his Ireland project. Warren Gatland has returned to his adopted homeland of Wales.
Scott Robertson is seemingly the most intriguing option, as someone who has not been ruled by himself publicly, or by proxy. Contracted to the New Zealand RFU as Crusaders Head Coach, Robertson would be a costly option for the RFU from a financial standpoint. Buying him out of his contract would be expensive, especially coupled with the fact England now need to pay off Eddie Jones’ deal. It is highly likely the NZRFU would simply say no to an offer from the RFU, even if they pledged to pay off Robertson's contract. He is a vital asset to New Zealand rugby and they will want to keep him there as long as possible. His character could also be a sticking point for some of the more reserved members of the RFU hierarchy. A break dancing Kiwi? It does not seem to align. However, as the game is dragged kicking and screaming into the modern era, Robertson could be the perfect option.
Richard Cockerill has taken over as interim coach. It has been seen, particularly in football, interim coaches do a good job then get the job full time. Cockerill has head coach experience, winning two Premiership titles with Leicester and leading Edinburgh Rugby. Cockerill has been known as a divisive and aggressive figure historically, but may have mellowed in recent times. It remains to be seen whether he is interim coach in name until the new head coach is announced in the coming weeks, or whether he will be given a crack at the Six Nations, which is highly unlikely. If Cockerill does stay until the Six Nations, what if he is highly successful? What if England under Cockerill win the thing? Echoes of Roberto Di Matteo’s time at Chelsea would be heard across southwest London if such a thing occurred.
Conor O'Shea is also an option available to England. He is currently the RFU's Director of Performance Rugby, but enjoyed success as Harlequins head coach. He had a stint as Italy head coach, navigating them through choppy water, including the infamous "ruck-gate" fixture at Twickenham. O'Shea is an inside man with the RFU, so could be a meaningful option. Whilst he is likely to inspire frenzied excitement, O'Shea could be seen as a safe pair of hands with experience within an international top job.
The current favourite is Eddie Jones' former right hand man, Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick. A former England captain and Bath and Saracens stalwart, Borthwick has certainly been there and done that as a player. As a coach, Borthwick was England's forwards coach from 2015 to 2020. Since leaving England, Borthwick took Leicester from bottom of the Premiership to title winners. There are three reservations when it comes to appointing Steve Borthwick. Firstly, he is hardly a savvy media charm machine. Borthwick views media responsibilities as a reluctant side quest, and I’m sure he would reject any press conferences or interviews given the chance. The England head coach role is a politic position, both in house and to the wider audience. Borthwick has lengthy RFU experience, so will be well versed in handling the board, particularly his less than positive relationship with the RFU when England skipper. However, the media role will bring increased scrutiny. Further, with rugby a game craving engagement and pizzazz, Steve Borthwick could be seen as a poor option to ignite England’s fans into feverish excitement. The second is Borthwick’s association with Jones. He was Jones’ assistant with both Japan and England. The majority of his coaching experience comes from Jones’ mentorship and guidance. The majority of this playing group worked closely with Borthwick for five years in this capacity. Could Borthwick be too similar to Jones? He has his own credentials as Tigers head coach, but perhaps familiarity could be a drawback for this man. The third is Borthwick’s lack of long-term experience as a number one. Borthwick has only been in charge of Leicester Tigers for two years. Their turnaround under him has been remarkable and that Premiership win was no less than they deserved, but it is only two years. Is it too early for the 43 year old Borthwick? That remains to be seen. The key point is that Borthwick is a Preston North Fan. Anyone who has suffered such torment should be given a crack at the whip.
What now for Eddie Jones? USA rugby seem to be calling his name, as do Racing 92. Whatever next for Jones, I’m sure he will be a success. Things may have gone stale in England, but the initial period was undeniably successful. It was a rollercoaster, but those early memories and the semi final win over New Zealand will never be forgotten. The man with the cheekiest grin in elite sport will be back with a vengeance and a smile, no doubt about it.
All in all, the future is uncertain. The road ahead may be rocky, but England can take comfort in how talented its playing group is. Owen Farrell is 100 up now and is in rich club form. Courtney Lawes has matured into a strong captain, with some great performances on the field to boot. Exciting youngsters like Freddie Steward, Marcus Smith and Jack Van Poortfliet lead the charge of the new generation. Whoever inherits this group will certainly have a dearth of quality options available. Whilst rugby union as a whole seems to be on a knife-edge, test rugby is just as unpredictable as ever. Everyone seems to be beating everyone right now. Consistency is a tough commodity to find nowadays. The Six Nations looms ahead, like a cloud of uncertainty but opportunity. For England's new coach, the job could have just become tougher. Ireland and France look unbeatable right now. Wales have Warren Gatland back, getting the band back together for an encore. Scotland have had England's number for several years now. Italy have enjoyed a remarkable year, beating both Wales and Australia. The Six Nations is as competitive as ever, and I cannot wait to see it unfold.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the photos/images in this blog post, nor do I claim to.