SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 19 hrs 13 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Eddie Jones makes dig at British & Irish Lions head coach role

:Headline: Eddie Jones makes dig at British & Irish Lions head coach role: ID:354416: from db_amp
Jones insists he has no interest in leading the elite of British and Irish rugby to South Africa in 2021.

Eddie Jones has dismissed the role of Lions head coach as an “ambassador job” while refusing to rule out the possibility of succeeding Michael Cheika as Australia boss.

Jones insists he has no interest in leading the elite of British and Irish rugby to South Africa in 2021, in the process taking a dig at Warren Gatland who was in charge of the previous two tours.

Gatland recently masterminded his third Grand Slam with Wales and is favourite to continue in the post.

Warren Gatland (left) is favourite to replace Eddie Jones after this autumn’s World Cup (David Davies/PA)

“The last thing I want to do is spend eight weeks in a blazer,” Jones told the Brisbane Courier Mail.

“That’s an ambassador job. I’m a coach. I’d rather coach the Queensland Sheffield Shield (cricket) team.”

Gatland is also favourite to replace Jones after this autumn’s World Cup when his reign as Wales boss ends.

Beyond Japan 2019, Jones’ future is clouded in doubt despite a contract extension lasting until 2021 that is dependent on performance at the global showpiece.

And the Australian has done nothing to clarify his position by keeping the door ajar to reprising a role he performed from 2001-05 when the World Cup is over.

“I don’t think I would ever say ‘never’, but it’s not something I have really thought about,’ Jones said.

“One thing Australia are not short of is talent. Cheika is in a good position. This could be his last hurrah and he’s got nothing to lose.”

Jones has suggested he does not expect to remain England head coach beyond the World Cup, claiming his future is in the hands of Twickenham’s hierarchy.

Eddie Jones says his future is out of his hands (Adam Davy/PA)

Acting chief executive Nigel Melville, however, still sees the Australian as being at the helm for a transition period until a replacement is appointed.

Melville insists various options are being considered despite the availability of Gatland, the Six Nations’ most successful coach who is a target for the Lions for their tour to South Africa and under-performing France.

“Eddie’s contracted until 2021 and the reason for that is that we see an opportunity after the World Cup to transition and keep momentum going,” Melville said.

“We don't want any distractions going into the World Cup”
- Nigel Melville

“There’s not an executive search going on. We’re aware of the market and where we are. We need to look at options going forward and we’ve got time.

“We won’t be announcing anything until after the World Cup because that’s the point.

“We don’t want any distractions going into the World Cup because we want to make sure we’re focused on the World Cup.

“We don’t have a shortlist. There will be internal candidates and external candidates. We just keep an eye on it.”

Bill Sweeney has been appointed as RFU chief executive (Steven Paston/PA)

Bill Sweeney has been appointed RFU chief executive but is still waiting for his release from the British Olympic Association.

“We don’t have a start date yet for Bill. The BOA have their recruitment process in place and are getting down to a shortlist now,” Melville said.

“We should have a date shortly. Hopefully he’ll be with us soon. He’s in touch with everything that’s going on and I’m in touch with him on a regular basis.”

amp_article__354416 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-26 13:06:04:
html db last update - 2019-03-26 13:06:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Eddie Jones

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about Eddie Jones Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .