Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, January 9.
Eddie Jones lined up for Six Nations TV role
Eddie Jones is reportedly weighing up an offer from ITV to be a pundit during the Six Nations, which would see him line up alongside one of his biggest England critics, Sir Clive Woodward.
Jones, sacked as England head coach at the end of 2022 after a disappointing autumn, is considering the offer to be an analyst during the 2023 tournament, The Telegraph reports.
If the Aussie agrees, it could set up a potentially awkward combination with World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive in the studio, which would be of great interest to viewers at home as they both analyse how new England coach Steve Borthwick fares in his first campaign in charge.
SIGN UP: Get the latest rugby headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter
After Jones' dismissal, Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail column that: “He will be remembered for the misguided rhetoric and unfulfilled promises. I don’t think history will remember this period of English rugby too kindly.”
When Jones was sacked by England, he said he pitied Woodward for the repeated attacks, saying: “I feel sad for [Woodward]. If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do.”
Jones has been linked with a return to Rugby Australia, who Jones led to the 2003 World Cup final against Sir Clive's eventual winners England, but it will not be before the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Wallabies boss Dave Rennie said on Monday: "It's not going to happen before the World Cup. We've had no discussions around changes to the coaching group... what happens beyond 2023 is another matter."
World Cup-winning coach Jake White undergoes emergency surgery
South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White has undergone emergency abdominal surgery.
The Pretoria-based Vodacom Bulls, where White is currently director of rugby, say the two-hour operation was successful.
White, 59, complained of debilitating stomach cramps after arriving in South Africa from Wales - where the Bulls had played United Rugby Championship opponents the Dragons - on Sunday.
"It is never nice to see one of our own down, but we are extremely confident that Jake is receiving the best medical attention available, and our team of medical experts will provide him with all the necessary support he will need to make a full recovery," Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone said.
"We would like to thank the hospital team, doctors and all those who rushed to offer their expertise and helped with attending to Jake."
Rathbone said he had visited White in hospital in Pretoria on Monday.
A statement on the Bulls' official website read: "While recovering from the operation and going through his rehabilitation programme, White will be taking a brief break from his team duties until February 8.
"At present, the club cannot place a time-stamp on the length of this period, but will be guided by the expertise and advice of the medical staff.
"The coaching team will continue to share the responsibility of leading the team while the director of rugby is away."
The Bulls tackle Heineken Champions Cup opponents Exeter in Pretoria on Saturday, before visiting Lyon six days later and then facing a URC game against the Scarlets in Llanelli on January 27.
Hook warns 'we can't rely on North for next five-10 years'
Former Wales fly-half James Hook is expecting Warren Gatland to select some youngsters for his Six Nations squad amid a warning that George North cannot exclusively be relied upon at centre for the next five to 10 years.
Gatland names his Six Nations squad next week, with North sure to be included as he approaches the end of his recovery from surgery on four fractures in his cheekbone and eye socket, but Hook is hopeful Gatland will have one eye on the future despite the need for immediate success in 2023.
"It's incredible the way he's reinvented himself, from a winger to a 13," Hook told Scrum V. "Defending as a 13, it's a really difficult place to defend. It's just a seamless transition for him. 30 years old with 109 caps, it's bonkers. The important thing is not to rush him back too early. It's a nasty injury he's had. Until he's fully fit, there's no point rushing him back.
"I suppose you don't realise how much we rely on George as a 13 as opposed to a winger. I think [a consistent midfield partner] is key. Maybe one thing Gatland will do when he comes in is get that consistency in selection, something which we haven't had at centre and other positions as well. Particularly as a centre partnership, you want to be playing with the same player week in, week out, if you can or internationally during campaigns."
But he added: "We've got to start looking at other players. We can't rely on George for the next five to 10 years. There have been some great performances from Joe Roberts, Mason Grady, Keiran Williams, guys like this. We've got to look ahead to the future and Gatland is not afraid to make surprise selections. I'm sure you'll see some of those youngsters in the Six Nations squad."
Sexton ruled out of Champions Cup clash
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been ruled out of Leinster's Champions Cup trip to Gloucester.
Leinster boss Leo Cullen confirmed the fly-half continues to recover from the cheekbone injury he sustained on Boxing Day in the hope he will be fit for Ireland's opening Six Nations clash against Wales on February 4. He missed his province's 12th successive URC win against the Ospreys on Saturday.
“Johnny Sexton won’t feature next week," Cullen said. "You are only talking weeks, it’s all about how it settles down and how he heals. It’s reasonably minor, a few weeks, but next weekend will definitely be too soon. I thought Harry Byrne was good in his first start of the season and it was good for him to get through 55 minutes. Ross Byrne then came on after he wasn’t involved the previous weekend because Johnny played. We have started three different No 10s in our last three games, and similarly at No 9.
“It’s all about people getting a genuine opportunity and ensuring everyone is ready for the big games when they are called upon. That’s what we’ve been focusing on in the last three weeks and it has been particularly pleasing to get two big wins away at Munster and here."
Owen Farrell could miss England's Six Nations opener
Owen Farrell is in danger of missing the start of England's Six Nations campaign after being cited for a dangerous tackle in Saracens' victory over Gloucester on Friday.
Farrell must face a disciplinary panel on Tuesday after his shoulder made contact with the head of replacement Jack Clement in the 75th minute of the Gallagher Premiership clash at Kingsholm. England open their Six Nations against Scotland on February 4 and a ban could see the 31-year-old playmaker ruled out of Steve Borthwick's first match in charge.
A communication mix-up between referee Karl Dickson and TMO Claire Hodnett meant the challenge was not reviewed on the field, but citing commissioner James Hall has deemed it to be worthy of a red card, thereby triggering disciplinary proceedings. The sanction for a mid-range offence is a six-week ban but if it is deemed to be at the higher end of severity, a player can be suspended for 10 weeks.
Farrell's tackle technique has been a frequent Achilles heel and should the citing be upheld, it will be the third time Farrell has been punished for the same offence. The three-time Lions tourist was banned for five weeks for a high tackle on Wasps player Charlie Atkinson in 2020, but the sanction was reduced from 10 weeks on account of off-field mitigating factors. In 2016 he was suspended for two weeks for an illegal challenge on Wasps' Dan Robson during a Champions Cup semi-final.
Read next:
Overlooked Welsh flanker throws hat into the ring by outplaying Wales hopeful in front of Gatland
Tom Shanklin has players and fans in stitches with comedy Dwayne Peel handshake on live TV
Guscott insists Wales need new blood now and under-fire referee responds to Owen Farrell furore
New Wales coach discovers serious young talent and a destructive machine on first weekend back
