In charge: Eddie Jones
(Picture: Getty Images)Handre Pollard believes England do not have enough time to sack Eddie Jones and still claim World Cup glory in France next year.
Pollard piloted South Africa to World Cup glory in Japan in 2019, under the auspices of new boss Rassie Erasmus.
Former South Africa No8 Erasmus took the Springboks coaching helm in 2017, and whipped a group of strugglers into such shape as to become world champions less than two years later.
The RFU has launched a two-week review after England’s worst calendar-year results since 2008.
The clamour to replace head coach Jones continues to rise, but Pollard, now with Leicester, thinks it is too late to install a new boss and reverse fortunes at next year’s World Cup in France.
“It’s a difficult one; it’s tough because you’ll basically have that Six Nations and a few warm-up games,” said Pollard. “It’s not a lot of time, so it will be tough. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but you never know.
“We felt Rassie’s impact immediately because of the personality he is and the way he does things. But in terms of the rugby and the on-field things, he said that with our new defensive system it would take 18 games.
“He knew that’s how long we had before the World Cup. It probably clicked a little earlier than 18 games, but I would say it took us a good year to find ourselves, really understand each other and know where we stood with each other.
“And then in 2019 we really kicked off with the results. The previous year 2018 was up and down when we were trying to find out feet. It took about a year I’d say.”
Pollard joined Leicester from Montpellier in the summer, and has enjoyed working with rugby director Steve Borthwick.
Former England assistant Borthwick remains one of the front-runners to replace Jones in the long-term, and 28-year-old Pollard believes the ex-Test lock has all the hallmarks to step up to the highest level.
“Steve’s definitely got the qualities to be an international coach,” said Pollard. “When that time will come we’ll see, but he’s definitely on his way.
“Steve demands very high standards, we all know that. But it’s not a results-driven club, it’s about getting better day by day, regardless of whether we win or lose. Nothing changes.
“When emotion sometimes gets the better of some coaches, with him it’s every Monday, reset, and the same story. “Win or lose we look to improve and it’s nice as a player. It’s not a roller coaster, every week is the same.
“Steve is different. I’ve not seen anyone like him before. He really dives into the technical and analytical side of rugby, which is pretty cool.
“The game is developing so you have to stay with it. He’s great in that sense. He doesn’t speak too much but his all-round personality means you know where you stand with him, which is always nice.”
