England eye O'Shea as interim coach amid doubts over Jones' future
EXCLUSIVE: England eye Conor O’Shea as interim coach amid doubts over the future of Eddie Jones… with the former Italy and Harlequins boss involved in the RFU review of the head coach’s performance following dismal run
- RFU is holding a review into the performance of England head coach Jones
- It comes after two poor seasons and just five wins from 12 matches in 2022
- England considering RFU director of performance O’Shea as an interim otion
- Three-time Lions and former Wales boss Gatland also in the frame for the job
England are considering RFU director of performance Conor O’Shea as an interim coaching option with Warren Gatland also in the frame as Eddie Jones’ future looks increasingly uncertain.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, alongside O’Shea, is holding a review into the performance of their current head coach Jones after England’s worst year in terms of results since 2008.
There are growing indications English rugby’s governing body has lost patience with Jones, especially after his team was booed off at Twickenham after losing to a second-string South Africa side. Sportsmail reported three-time Lions and former Wales boss Gatland would be interested in an approach from England.
RFU director of performance Conor O’Shea (R) is an option to replace Eddie Jones (L)
But we also understand O’Shea is being seen as an option should Jones move on.
The Australian was always going to leave his RFU role at the end of the 2023 World Cup, but it looks increasingly unlikely Jones will make it that far.
New Zealander Scott Robertson remains a leading contender to take on the England job on a full-time basis but it is understood he is unlikely to be available to do so until next year.
It means that if the RFU opt to dismiss Jones now, their only real short-term options are Gatland, O’Shea and Leicester’s Premiership title winner Steve Borthwick.
Jones is clinging on to his job after England boss suffered a poor autumn series
The fact former Harlequins and Italy coach O’Shea is currently involved in reviewing Jones’ performance and could yet succeed him raises significant questions over a conflict of interest.
If O’Shea were to take on the position, it would be reminiscent of Stuart Lancaster’s ascent through the RFU pathway when he succeeded Martin Johnson as head coach, initially on a temporary basis. Lancaster went on to become full-time England coach in 2012 after an interim stint which saw him finish second in that year’s Six Nations.
After two poor seasons and just five wins from 12 in 2022, there is a growing number of English rugby supporters who are unhappy with Jones at the helm.
But the prospect of O’Shea taking over is also unlikely to enthuse fans given he failed to win a Six Nations match in charge of Italy before taking up his RFU position.
Sweeney and the RFU hierarchy have a huge decision to make on Jones and know Gatland is also of interest to his former side Wales who are in the middle of a coaching review of their own.
England have won just five of 12 games in 2022 following Saturday’s defeat by South Africa
The Welsh Rugby Union is likely to dispense with the services of their main man Wayne Pivac after catastrophic losses to Italy and Georgia this year.
New WRU chairman and former Wales and Lions wing Ieuan Evans acknowledged on Thursday the need for their review into the autumn to move quickly.
In demand both sides of the Severn Bridge, Gatland has now returned to New Zealand to see which of England or Wales are prepared to put an offer in writing.
It is understood WRU chief executive Steve Phillips has consulted Wales’ senior playing group on Pivac’s future and that they remain supportive of him despite poor results.
‘The autumn was disappointing. You can’t hide away from that fact,’ said Evans, after Pivac led Wales to defeats by New Zealand, Georgia and Australia and a solitary win over Argentina last month.
Warren Gatland (R) is open to taking charge of England on a caretaker basis if Jones is sacked
‘There is an ongoing review and we need to let that process run its course. Whatever conclusion that comes to we’ll make a recommendation on the back of that and act on it.
‘The Six Nations is eight weeks away. It’s no time at all. Not long after that, the World Cup starts. We need to be competitive there.
‘We understand the pressures and the timing. We’d be naïve not to think about that.’
Final decisions on the futures of both Jones and Pivac are set to be made by the RFU and WRU next week with wanted man Gatland currently the one in the box seat.
Meanwhile, Luke Cowan-Dickie has handed another blow to English rugby by agreeing a switch to French giants Montpellier in a move which will end his international career.
Hooker Cowan-Dickie will join his Exeter and England team-mate Sam Simmonds at Montpellier after the World Cup on a lucrative deal which is expected to be worth £300,000-a-year after tax.
England tyro Henry Arundell, who missed the autumn campaign, is a big doubt for next year’s Six Nations after undergoing ankle surgery.
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article