England head coach Eddie Jones will take his career in a new direction following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when he could leave rugby union behind altogether.
That's after fresh rumours emerged linking the 62-year-old with National Rugby League (NRL) outfit the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Jones is ready to depart the 15-a-side code in favour of a move to league, but only with the club he grew up supporting as a boy.
The former Australia coach is contracted with the Red Rose until November 2023, with no clear sign as to whom England will appoint as his successor just yet. There had been talk Jones could be replaced prior to the tournament, though the recent series win in Australia appears to have subsided that speculation.
It's believed Rugby Australia is interested in offering the former Wallabies boss another go at the helm after he led them to a World Cup runner-up finish to England in 2003. However, Jones is said to be uninterested in that reunion after he was unceremoniously fired from the position in 2005.
Instead, the Tasmania-born tactician is said to have his eyes set on a position at Stadium Australia, where Jason Demetriou currently holds the head coach position. The Rabbitohs agonised to appoint Demetriou as replacement for the departed Wayne Bennett, however, meaning Jones could take an alternative role on the touchline.
One need only look at Jones' current England coaching set-up for signs of his love for league. Attack mentor Martin Gleeson and defence coach Anthony Seibold each base their roots in the 13-a-side sport, while Jon Clarke, the head of strength and conditioning, spent his 17-year playing career in league.
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Jones revealed in May that he has held discussions with French giants Racing 92 regarding the possibility of a move into the Top 14 when his England deal expires. He was formerly linked with the Rabbitohs—co-owned by Hollywood star Russell Crowe —in 2019 but shrugged off speculation.
“Eddie loves his league,” said Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart after spending some time in the England rugby camp in 2019. “The way the England team played. . .let’s just say that I have never seen a rugby side play so similarly to a league side.
“I don’t know if he wants to coach in the NRL. Could he do it? I have no doubt he could if that was on his radar. To transfer a coach from code to code. . .well they’ve never been closer, so yes, it’s doable.”
