Thursday 19 November 2015 20:56, UK
Eddie Jones is in talks with the RFU with Sky sources understanding he will become the next England coach 'in the next few days'.
The Australian, currently coach of South African Super Rugby franchise the Stormers, took over from Jake White as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Stuart Lancaster earlier this week and now, barring a major U-turn, he is poised to take on the role.
If appointed, he will become the first non-English head coach of the national team.
Lancaster stepped down from his role earlier this month after England's dismal World Cup campaign and while there are still issues to be agreed, Sky sources understand all major hurdles have been overcome.
Initial plans to have Jones and White working in tandem have been abandoned with former England captain Steve Borthwick, currently forwards coach at Bristol having worked alongside Jones for Japan at the World Cup, poised to join the 55-year-old as assistant in the coaching set-up.
It remains to be seen whether Lancaster's backroom staff of Andy Farrell, Mike Catt and Graham Rowntree will be kept on.
Earlier this week the South African franchise insisted Jones was going nowhere but earlier on Thursday, for the first time, they admitted they were unsure if Jones will remain.
"Western Province Rugby is aware of the speculation regarding Eddie Jones's future," Director of Rugby Gert Smal told South Africa's Sport24.
"No further comment will be made until we have final clarity on the situation."
Jones was unveiled by the Stormers a week ago in Cape Town, the day after Lancaster resigned.
At the time, Jones insisted he was not considering the post when questioned about reported English interest in his services.
"Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers. I'm committed to the Stormers. I woke up this morning and looked at Table Mountain... I'm very happy to be here," he said.
Ian Ritchie, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive, said last week that England would seek to replace Lancaster with "proven international experience" but has seen a number of other candidates fall out of the running.
Jones led Japan to their best-ever World Cup showing in England, where they managed a shock 34-32 win over South Africa and won three of their four pool stage games.
He also coached Australia to the World Cup final in 2003 and was an assistant to Jake White when South Africa won the 2007 tournament.
