England Rugby has appointed Eddie Jones as the new head coach, starting this December, after he signed a four-year contract with the RFU this morning.
The Australian replaces Stuart Lancaster after England’s disappointing Wold Cup performance where they became the first host nation to not progress from the pool stages.
Jones, 55, led the 2019 World Cup hosts Japan to a stunning victory over South Africa in Brighton in September, adding to his illustrious career as a coach.
Jones said: “I’m now looking forward to working with the RFU and the players to move beyond the disappointment England suffered at the World Cup and hope to build a new team that will reflect the level of talent that exists within the English game.
“I believe the future is bright for England.”
Jones, a former teacher, began his career in 1994 coaching his former club Randwick and became Australia’s head coach in 2001.
He led Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup but lost to England in extra time.
Sir Clive Woodward, England’s 2003 head coach, has welcomed Jones’s appointment on Twitter.
Sir Clive tweeted: “V excited for Eddie & a great appointment, v poignant day for RFU as it raises the white flag for English coaches.”
https://t.co/FfIkCyKqQf. V excited for Eddie & a great appointment,v poignant day for RFU as it raises the white flag for English coaches
— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) November 20, 2015
As well as coaching the Australian team to the 2003 final, he was also a technical advisor for the South African team during their successful 2007 World Cup campaign.
Jones left his role as Japan’s head coach after the World Cup to join the South African Stormers only to leave them for his new appointment in England.
Jones’s first match as head coach of England will be against Scotland on February 6 2016 in the RBS Six Nations.
Image courtesy of World Rugby via YouTube, with thanks
