Tuesday 13 October 2015 08:01, UK
Eddie Jones feels England need an experienced coach should they decide to replace Stuart Lancaster in the wake of their World Cup flop.
Jones, who has been touted as a possible replacement for Lancaster should his tenure be ended after a Rugby Football Union (RFU) review, has overseen one of the teams of the tournament, Japan, to victories over South Africa, Samoa and the USA.
He is stepping down as coach of the Brave Blossoms and returning to Super Rugby, where he will take over as Stormers head coach.
But he has already said he would listen, even if it was only out of politeness, should England come calling and feels they should avoid going for a young coach if Lancaster is removed.
"An international team needs a coach who has the courage to be different," Jones said.
"A concern of mine is that too many teams are trying to play like New Zealand. That is not because there are so many coaches from that country scattered around the world: Joe Schmidt has not taken Ireland in that direction nor has Warren Gatland with Wales, which is why they have both done very well.
"If we [Japan] had lost to the United States in our final game, people would have asked why we didn't kick the ball rather than run with it. Because I am an older coach now, that sort of criticism does not worry me, but when you are a younger coach you feel the pressure and tell your team to kick the ball more.
"I think that's what happened to Stuart Lancaster. I have no idea what the RFU will do but they have to change it because they could have a bloody good team."
Jones heads to South Africa at the start of next month to prepare for the Super Rugby season but says he cannot rule out any further change of role in the future, be it in the short or long-term.
"I've signed to go to the Stormers but I have a great affinity for Japanese rugby," he added.
"Who knows what will happen in the future? The one thing about international rugby is that you need experience. You need someone who has been around."
