Bill Sweeney, Chief Executive of Rugby Football Union says that England should have an English head coach.
Eddie Jones, an Australian rugby player, has signed a contract until the 2023 Rugby World Cup ends. However, Jones is feeling pressured after failing Six Nations campaigns.
Sweeney would prefer to focus on local coaches and exclude Warren Gatland (ex-Wales coach) or Rassie Erasmus (ex-South Africa coach) as Jones’ successor.
Sweeney stated that English setups are preferable.
“We think we have such a rich supply of English coaches in rugby. We should develop English coaches and an English style for rugby as a leader nation.”
RFU is currently looking for someone to take over the role of national team manager and hopes to have a new management team in place by summer 2023 to allow Jones to transition smoothly.
Sweeney claims that the next head coaches will not necessarily have prior international experience. This leaves the door open for Rob Baxter to be approached. whose contract with Exeter expires in 2023.
Steve Borthwick (forwards coach at Leicester under Jones) and Richard Cockerill (currently in the same role) are both candidates.
Jones was appointed England’s first overseas head coach. Jones was appointed England head coach at the beginning of 2016, and has since led the team to three Six Nations championships and a runners-up finish in the Rugby World Cup at Japan 2019.
Sweeney supported Jones’ decision to stay by it. insisting England are heading in the right direction despite indifferent performances and poor results recently.