Jake White and Eddie Jones

In the aftermath of England’s dramatic fall from grace after becoming the 1st host nation which will not advance beyond the Pool stages of the Rugby World Cup, the speculation has been rife about the possible resignation or axing of England head coach, Stuart Lancaster.

Earlier in the week it was reported that Eddie Jones, high flying Japanese coach, has said he would listen to the English if he was approached for the job.

Now South Africa’s supreme mercenary coach and big friend of Eddie Jones, Jake White (who currently coaches Montpellier in France), has also thrown his name into the hat for the England job!

Like buzzards over a carcass, these coaches… I tell you!

Both mercenaries are currently employed or in Eddie Jones’ case about to enter into employment at the Stormers for the 2016 season, but both indicating that they are available!

Now that irks me to hell and gone and I’m sure it does not go down well in the rest of South Africa, specially in the Western Cape, where much is expected from Eddie Jones by the DHL Stormers and their supporters.

Eddie Jones:

Speculation over who could replace Stuart Lancaster as England coach reached new heights after Japan mentor Eddie Jones said he is “open” to an approach.

Jones however is set to join South African Super Rugby outfit the Stormers post World Cup as their new head coach.

Although the Australian has only penned a one-year contract with the Cape franchise and there has been no clarification of what his exit clause may entail.

Jones said he could be “open” to an approach as England slumped to an all-time low of eighth in the world rankings. British newspapers said that Lancaster had to go.

England’s World Cup campaign also hit another low as rugby chiefs investigated an alleged illegal approach to match-day officials during their defeat by Australia adding to the sense of crisis after they were dumped out of the tournament in the first round.

According to media reports, two members of England’s coaching staff approached match officials as England and Australia players went off the field at half-time in their 13-33 loss.

“World Rugby is investigating an alleged breach by the England coaching team of the match-day communications protocol between match officials and team members or union officials,” said a World Rugby statement released Monday.

The protocol prohibits “coaches approaching match officials during a match or at half-time.”

Media reports said there is CCTV footage from the tunnel where the alleged incident took place. There was a “robust” discussion in the tunnel after referee Romain Poite  penalised the English scrum three times in the first half, The Times newspaper reported.

“They have been in contact with us wanting to speak to us, but I don’t know what the process will be,” said England’s assistant coach Andy Farrell, who refused to comment further.

Australia coach Michael Cheika received a formal warning this year after he approached referee Jaco Peyper at half-time during his Waratahs’ win over the Blues in Sydney.

Farrell, whose son Owen Farrell was one of the few good performers for England, had to fight off questions about his role in England’s downfall at a press conference.

Media reports have spoken of players feeling that Farrell had too much influence in Lancaster’s team selection and were uneasy about Rugby League convert Sam Burgess getting a place so soon.

“Four of us as coaches get together and have a selection meeting. You put your two pennies worth in and Stuart makes the call and we all buy into that. It’s unanimous,” Farrell said of selection decisions.

Farrell said Burgess had “worked unbelievably hard and continued to work very hard to make his stamp and give his all for the team.”

He added that there is “devastation in the camp” over defeats by Wales and Australia that led to the historic exit. But he defended Lancaster.

“I think what Stuart has built here is more than those two defeats,” said Farrell.

“Three and a half years under Stuart has been built on solid foundations. He has done marvelous things for this country and this team. He is the hardest working Englishman that I have ever met.”

When asked about the future of the coaching team, he said: “The process will take its place and will be taken out of our hands. This team is a young team and it will go places and win trophies. We all want to be part of that but it is out of our hands.”

Lancaster himself has said he feels he will never get over the failed campaign. Newspapers are clamouring for his departure, though the Rugby Football Union said a review will go on after England’s final World Cup pool game against Uruguay on Saturday.

Japan coach Jones, who is meant to join South African side the Stormers after the World Cup, said in a Daily Mail column he would “chat” to English bosses if approached.

“There will be a lot of contenders queuing up for his [Lancaster’s] job,” commented Jones.

Clive Woodward, who managed England to their 2003 World Cup triumph, has said he is not keen to return.

Other names mentioned include Mike Ford, the rugby league convert now in charge at Bath, Jake White, the South African who guided the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup success, and Jim Mallinder of Northampton Saints.

Jake White:

Jake White, who guided South Africa to the World Cup title in 2007, is interested in the England coach’s job, according to reports on Tuesday.

With current coach Stuart Lancaster expected to quit or be sacked after England’s disastrous World Cup, White told the Daily Mail he had been approached in the past.

“If they were genuinely interested and they approached me, of course I would be interested. It’s one of the biggest jobs in world sport and you would be crazy not to consider it,” said White, currently head coach at French side Montpellier.

“England have everything going for them in terms of resources, players and history,” said the 52-year-old South African.

“When I was with the Springboks, I was approached to put my name in for Rob Andrew’s job. Then they contacted me before appointing Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster.”

Rob Andrew is the Director of Rugby at England’s Rugby Football Union, one of the world’s wealthiest, while Martin Johnson was Lancaster’s predecessor as coach.

Japan’s Australian coach Eddie Jones has also said he would be “open” to taking over the England team humiliated by pool stage defeats against Wales and Australia.

They are the first World Cup hosts to fail to reach the knockout stage.

rugby365