Eddie Jones Re-Commits to England Rugby for Further Two Years

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Eddie Jones Re-Commits to England Rugby for Further Two Years

News has broken that Eddie Jones re-commits to England Rugby, for a further two years. It takes the head coaches term through until 2021.

This ‘change of heart’ is seen as both of benefit and a hindrance, to any new coach making an application. Now returning after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Jones will be able to carry on the good work he has undoubtedly done [thus far].

With the 2018 NatWest Six Nations only weeks away, he has named his training squad to begin the Championship in Italy. That said, the news of his signing has become a media item, with the announcement well-timed to take pressure off the players. Part of the well figured management of the team, Jones and the RFU know that popular support is high–the perfect timing, to underline his continued role in the future.

However, if the wrong outcome is delivered, then he will still be in charge of a squad who may not have lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for over 15 years. How appealing will it then be to have Jones running the battered ship for another two seasons?

Eddie Jones Re-Commits with RFU until 2021

The fact that Eddie Jones resurrected the RFU brand is an outstanding performance. In that time, he has secured two Six Nations titles. In addition he equalled the All Blacks winning sequence of 18 wins. Besides a major world title, he will be proud of his accomplishments.

In a video released on the England Rugby website, Jones said he was “excited. Fantastic team to coach, great players. Play in front of 82,000 fans [at Twickenham]. They’re great fans, and to have the opportunity to work with England for another two years, I’m delighted to be part of it.”

Now, the goal is to make it a third Six Nations title. And then, planning can continue on the aim to become the number one ranked team (to take that place off of the New Zealand team).

If that change in rankings can be done, which that team has held for eight years unbroken, then he would be on course for targets established prior to his signing. Now, on re-committing the England Rugby, the years following the RWC will be finely balanced.

Post 2019 RWC, Eddie Jones Will Assist in New Coach Selection

While his vision of raising another Rugby World Cup may or may not be realized, post October, the RFU and Eddie Jones must now work over a two year term to ensure a suitable replacement is in place.

Some might suggest that this period might be seen as his final notice. But Eddie Jones has recommitted to the team, and to the ongoing performance measures.

“That’s enough for me [the contract until 2021]. It’s a good opportunity to bring through another coach and make sure they come into a successful team and keep making England successful.”

The key term here is ‘keep making England successful’.  As a result he and the RFU may want to secure the most successful coaching applicants, and trial one or two, to best judge who can inherit the head coach role.

But in saying that, how difficult will it be for an assistant or probable candidate, to work with Jones? Could his man-management style be in conflict [in 2020] with other coaches philosophy? So much time between then and now, there can be much conjecture over the pros and cons of the RFU decision. Although, it may in fact be a seamless transfer of direction.

For fans of England Rugby today, they will hope that while Eddie Jones re-commits to his ongoing position, the immediate goals stay the same…and that includes a certain key date in November.

#ENGvNZL – November 10, 2017

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