Eddie Jones has stepped down as Saracens director of rugby with immediate effect leaving coaching co-ordinator Richard Graham to take charge of the Guinness Premiership club until the end of the season, the club announced this afternoon.

Jones, the former Australia head coach, had originally been due to leave the club in the summer, and had lined up a two-year coaching post with Japanese club Suntory.

No explanation for Jones' immediate departure was provided by the club but he is known to be unhappy with the current management regime at Saracens.