Eddie Jones has been handed a coaching role at Twickenham a week to the day after being sacked as England team boss.
The Australian is still coming to terms with the bitter disappointment of being axed by the Rugby Football Union nine months out from the World Cup.
But seven days after leaving the home of English rugby in a taxi after being “dismissed” by Twickenham boss Bill Sweeney, the 62-year old has been booked for a return date.
Jones has agreed to coach the Barbarians against a World XV on May 28 - returning to the role he filled in a match against Fiji in 2019.
“It’s an incredible honour to be asked to coach the Barbarians for a second time,” he said.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium – a venue I have so many fond memories of – as head coach of the Barbarians, and I’m more motivated than ever to put on a show.”
Jones will go head-to-head with Steve Hansen for the first time since England beat New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Yokohama.
That was the defining game of Jones’ seven-year reign and promised so much. But England crashed to Final defeat a week later and now Jones finds himself on the job market.
“Going up against Steve rekindles a great rivalry which first started in our days competing in Super Rugby and progressed into the international arena,” he added. “It’ll be a great challenge and one I’m sure we’re both relishing.”
The last time the BaaBaas played at Twickenham, back in June, they beat Jones’ England 52-21. The fired-up Aussie will want to maintain their winning run.
