Eddie Jones expects to have his England management team in place well in time to decide the squad for the Six Nations and the tour to Australia after releasing the three assistant coaches of his predecessor Stuart Lancaster.
Jones met Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt last week before deciding he preferred a completely new approach to continuity. He has identified Steve Borthwick, the former England captain who joined Bristol’s coaching team after the World Cup, and the Saracens defence coach, Paul Gustard, as his assistant and the Rugby Football Union is negotiating with the two clubs.
Saracens have admitted the approach for Gustard, whose coaching career started when Jones was at the club six years ago, and will not stand in his way but Bristol have not been as forthcoming about Borthwick, who was also at Sarries during Jones’s stints there. The plan will be for Gustard to replace Farrell and Borthwick to replace Rowntree, although the addition of a scrummaging expert is likely. Jones is expected to fill Catt’s role as attack coach.
While the RFU’s discussions with Saracens will centre on compensation, Bristol want Borthwick to remain with them until the end of the season as they bid to end their seven-year exile from the Premiership. England are insisting Borthwick, who was in charge of Japan’s lineout under Jones this year, should be full-time from the start.
“I am looking for guys who can work with me,” Jones said, “who understand my playing philosophy and can add to it. Having met with the three coaches last week to talk through the future direction we felt it was the right time to make changes.
“They are all experienced guys and have contributed greatly to the England team over the years. I know everyone at the RFU is appreciative of their hard work and commitment and I wish them the very best for the future.”
Lancaster was caught in his final year in charge between the different playing styles of Bath and Saracens, looking to create a hybrid that would highlight both attack and defence, but Jones is steering towards the latter.
Jones will be a hands-on head coach in the mould of Brian Ashton, who was in charge when England reached the 2007 World Cup final, and his approach has been welcome by the man who succeeded him as the Saracens director of rugby, Brendan Venter.
“England have a strong team and the introduction of Steve and Paul will make it stronger,” Venter said. “Eddie does not have to build relationships with them, which is a wise move. I just hope they make the decision to stick with Owen Farrell at fly-half because he can become the best 10 in the world and stop dabbling with George Ford, a good footballer but not someone they will win things with.”
