RFU board to meet Tuesday: Eddie Jones to learn England fate after Bill Sweeney review findings
A public announcement will be made after Tuesday's RFU board meeting where Bill Sweeney will present findings; will Eddie Jones continue to the 2023 Rugby World Cup when his eight-year reign is contracted to end?; Sky Sports' James Savundra: It is now or never for the RFU and Jones
Last Updated: 06/12/22 11:35am
Eddie Jones' future as England coach will be decided after Tuesday's RFU board meeting, with reports circulating that he is set to be sacked in the wake of the team's poor run.
The RFU's review panel met with Jones on Monday following a review of England's November series when they were booed off at Twickenham after losing to South Africa, following another defeat against Argentina, a draw against New Zealand and a victory over Japan.
A board meeting will take place on Tuesday where chief executive Bill Sweeney will present his findings and a formal announcement from the governing body is expected midweek.
The panel consists of board and executive members as well as independent members, former players and coaches.
Jones has overseen England's worst year since 2008, consisting of six defeats, a draw and five wins and ending with the chastening loss to South Africa.
Despite the run of poor results and performances, Jones was adamant he would turn England into a team capable of winning the World Cup for a second time but, with the tournament only nine months away, multiple media reports say his time is up.
- Lacklustre England fall to 14-man Springboks
- Woodward: Jones should be sacked if England lose to Scotland
- Autumn debrief: England floundering, Pivac on the way out? Ireland building
- Robshaw backs Jones to lead England into World Cup | 'Southgate an example'
Jones' position has never been more precarious, with Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick - Jones' England forwards coach between 2015 and 2020 - seen as the likely replacement.
A final fork in the road: One last ride with Jones?
Sky Sports News' James Savundra:
It's now or never when it comes to the RFU and Eddie Jones. The governing body must decide whether to back or sack their head coach with just five competitive matches left to play until next year's World Cup. This is surely the final fork in the road ahead of France 2023.
Spectators - paying significantly north of £100 - flooded out of Twickenham last Saturday left puzzled as to the strategy and identity of an England team who were overpowered by the Springboks in one of the most insipid displays at the Home of Rugby in recent memory.
Jones' backers will point to his tournament record which suggests his sides tend to come good on the biggest of stages. Two World Cup finals (2003 with Australia and 2019 with England) and a scintillating 2015 campaign with Japan attest to that point.
Plus, England were not in a too dissimilar position in 2018 having lost five Tests in a row with some calls for Jones to go. Yet he galvanised the team to the point of coming within 80 minutes of World Cup glory having delivered one of the greatest performances in their semi-final victory over the All Blacks.
The huge expense of parting ways with Jones and his coaching set-up may prove prohibitive yet the evidence is clear that England have drifted a long way behind the top four nations in the world. It seems a tall order to bridge that gap in time for the opening match in September 2023 - albeit in a favourable pool.
It's been a seven-year rollercoaster with Jones at the helm. Massive highs have been matched by crushing lows. The RFU must decide if they are willing to board one last ride with the combustible Australian at the wheel.
