Eddie Jones has been sacked as head coach of England, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced.
The Australian-born coach, 62, has been in charge of the national side since 2015 and guided England to three Six Nations championships.
But he has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks, after presiding over the national team’s worst year since 2008.
His England side recorded six defeats, a draw and five wins in 12 outings this year, ending with a comprehensive loss to South Africa last month.
Jones’ sacking, which was confirmed following a meeting of the RFU board on Tuesday morning, comes just nine months before the start of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France next September.
Newspaper reports have suggested former England captain and assistant coach Steve Borthwick, currently at Leicester, is being lined up to take over from Jones.
He was appointed Leicester boss in 2020, and has overseen a startling transformation in the Tigers’ fortunes, including a Gallagher Premiership title last year.
Lawrence Dallaglio, a Rugby World Cup winner with England, today said that if it is Borthwick who gets the job he will need support around him.
Responding on Twitter to news of Jones’ sacking, the retired rugby star wrote: “Eddie’s gone. If Steve Borthwick gets the job he needs a Director of Rugby to work with him.
“The RFU have to make changes that help the new man in charge.”
It had been speculated that the experienced former Wales coach Warren Gatland was among the front-runners for the role.
But that option came off the table on Monday when the New Zealander was reappointed as Wales coach after the dismissal of Wayne Pivac.
The RFU says it will announce Jones’ successor in the “near future”.
Richard Cockerill will take over the day-to-day running of the team in the interim.
In a statement, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “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.
“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.”
Speaking about the decision, RFU Chair, Tom Ilube said: “The independent review panel regularly updates board on its discussions and findings.
“We are fully supportive of its process and recommendations.”
Jones leaves England with a win percentage of 73 per cent, the highest of any England Men’s Rugby coach in history, including Rugby World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward.
