Eddie Jones suggested he will blank Rugby Football Union bosses when Australia next play England - in a parting shot to his former employers.
Jones has sensationally returned for a second stint in charge of Australia on a five-year deal just weeks after his England dismissal.
The 62-year-old was sacked after an RFU review into a disappointing autumn campaign that included damaging defeats to Argentina and South Africa.
But in a shock move, he has now replaced Dave Rennie as Wallabies head coach and will lead his country into the World Cup in France later this year.
Jones is also afforded the dream opportunity to a win a Lions tour in 2025 and a home World Cup in 2027 after being strongly backed with a lengthy deal by Aussie rugby chiefs.
And Jones could meet England this year with Australia on a possible collision course to face the Red Rose in the World Cup quarter-final stage in Marseille.
But while he is solely focused on 'retribution' with Australia, Jones has also claimed he would have no interest in speaking with the RFU bosses who wielded the axe on him, should the teams meet in the tournament's last eight.
“I’m not thinking about England, I’m thinking about retribution because the most important thing is to get Australia playing really well and consistently well,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If we happen to meet England on the way, well and good. I might have a conversation with some of the players and not with the administration. Then we’ll get on with the battle.
“You could maybe pick it now … the quarter-final [between Australia and England] could be in Marseille. Maybe age helps but once the chapter closes, it closes.”
Upon his return, Jones also sent a warning to England and Australia's other rivals by expressing his confidence in turning his native Wallabies into World Cup winners.
"It is going to be an immense period for Australian rugby," he said. "As a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years.
"The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth - if we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup."
