Steve Borthwick is expected to be confirmed as England boss before the end of the week, with the the Rugby Football Union not hanging about to seal the deal after sacking Eddie Jones.
Jones has paid the price for a dismal run of form – the team’s worst in 14 years – and was told his reign was over at a meeting with RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney yesterday morning.
And while forwards coach Richard Cockerill has been placed in interim charge that looks set to be the briefest of caretaker roles with Leicester not expected to stand in the way of their director of rugby taking the big job nine months out from a World Cup.
Borthwick, a former No.2 to Jones, will have little time to rejuvenate a squad which has slumped alarmingly, for while the Australian departs with the highest win record of any England coach, 73 per cent, that number drops to 42 per cent in a below-par 2022 that consisted of six defeats, one draw and five wins.
It was this run that convinced the RFU to act on the recommendation of the review panel investigating a dire autumn series that was bookended by losses to Argentina and South Africa.
In his parting comments, the 62-year-old Jones, whose early successes with England included a Grand Slam, Six Nations title and a World Cup final appearance, insisted he is satisfied with his seven years at Twickenham,
He said: ‘I’m pleased with much we have achieved as an England team and I look forward to watching the team’s performance in the future.
‘Many of the players and I will no doubt keep in touch and I wish them all well in their future careers.’
Axing Jones so close to the World Cup is a risk, but the RFU felt compelled to act. ‘It’s important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby,’ Sweeney said. ‘I’m grateful to Eddie for all he has done for England across many areas of the game.’
MORE : The rapid rise of Borthwick from pupil to master
MORE : England sack head coach Eddie Jones after dismal run of results
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