Eddie Jones has been sacked as England coach after seven years in charge of the Red Rose after a dismal run of results. The RFU review panel met on Monday afternoon and decided to relieve Jones of his duties, with Leicester's Steve Borthwick set to take the reins.
Jones was determined to stay in charge and lead England into the 2023 World Cup in France, but his fate has now been sealed. RFU Chief executive Bill Sweeney made a recommendation to the RFU board on Tuesday, when the decision was finalised.
Richard Cockerill will take interim charge of the day-to-day running of the team, the RFU confirmed in a statement.
"It is important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby, winning three Six Nations Championships, one Grand Slam and taking us to a Rugby World Cup Final," said CEO Bill Sweeney.
"He has the highest win ratio of any previous England head coach and has helped develop the leadership skills of many players and coaches.
"I am grateful to Eddie for all he has done for England across many areas of the game and the professional way in which he has approached reviewing the performance of the team.
"He has provided the panel with astute insight and meaningful lessons that will support the team performance going forward."
It had been rumoured former Lions boss Warren Gatland could take over ahead of the World Cup, but he has succeeded Wayne Pivac as boss of his native Wales.
The process of relieving Jones of his duties is expected to cost the RFU between £650,000 and £700,000. Despite recent tribulations, the Australian boasts a 73% winning record in charge of England, superior to any previous Red Rose head coach including Sir Clive Woodward, who guided the side to World Cup glory against Jones' Australia side in 2003.
Under Jones' tutelage, England reached the 2019 World Cup final and won three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016. But 2022 has seen a change in fortunes as the team has produced its worst results since 2008.
"I am pleased with much that we have achieved as an England team and I look forward to watching the team’s performance in the future," said Jones. "Many of the players and I will no doubt keep in touch and I wish them all well in their future careers."
Just one win in November and an annual return of only five victories in the last 12 Tests has developed an air of gloom surrounding the English game. In their most recent outing, England lost 27-13 to the reigning world champions South Africa at home, who were missing some of their best players.
Jones came under strong criticism from Woodward, who last week claimed he should lose the job if England are defeated by Scotland in their next game. "England are not just losing, they are going backwards at an alarming rate of knots," he wrote in the Mail.
"As England coach you need to care very much what people think. The RFU have to start getting tough on Jones. He needs to feel some serious heat from his employers. I would say to him: 'Forget the next World Cup, if you lose your next game against Scotland in the Six Nations you're out of your job.'
“If Jones has to get paid off and we need to raise the money for that to happen, then so be it. I’m not sure how this ends for Jones but it doesn’t look good."
In response, Jones said: "I feel sad for him [Woodward]. If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn't a lot to do."
