Opinion: England’s coaching options for life after Eddie Jones

Since Bill Sweeney’s press briefing last week, the rugby media has been full of speculation, fuelled by some very novel interpretations of the RFU words, on the future of the England head coach role.

Let’s put the record straight; firstly, Sweeney was at pains to point out that Eddie Jones has the fullest support of the RFU and that, whilst any position is always under review, he is here to stay to the end of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

Secondly, whilst some reports have suggested that the RFU will look exclusively for an English coach, this isn’t quite the case – Sweeney and Conor O’Shea pointed out that there was a wealth of talent to consider.

Thirdly, Shaun Edwards; Sweeney explained at length that, before he took the role as CEO, there’d been a half-baked attempt to talk with him. This resulted in Sweeney and Edwards taking a walk together to discuss various aspects of English rugby and to also examine how, in future, a more professional approach could be made.

Lastly, the RFU chief executive made it clear that contact with English coaches overseas was an ongoing process and something that happened as a matter of course, a joined up approach that has certainly included the likes of Edwards, and others such as Mike Catt and Andy Farrell.

Assuming therefore that Jones will stay, the next step in the evolution of England‘s coaching team will be to recruit his successor. In doing so, the planning must be intelligent, direct and also should include a broader job description, to embrace the wider cultivation of elite English talent and to ensure that the pool of players in the pathway is robust and competitive.

The England coaching role is regarded as one of the crown jewels of elite coaching appointments. With a salary