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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

England to decide Eddie Jones future next week as players asked for input

England will finalise their decision on Eddie Jones' future early next week.

The RFU will hold their final review meetings on Monday, with head coach Jones expected to learn his fate the following day.

England are expected to publicise their decision by the middle of next week, with Jones' future in the balance after just one win in four autumn Tests.

England have slumped to their worst set of calendar-year results since 2008, winning just five or 12 Test matches in 2022.

Former Wales boss Warren Gatland has emerged as a genuine contender to replace Jones, should the RFU seek to install a temporary boss to take charge until next year's World Cup in France.

Warren Gatland is a candidate. (Getty Images)

England's senior players will throw their support behind boss Jones in the RFU review however, it is understood.

The England players are being canvassed on their views by RFU chiefs, and while they would naturally not step out of line to criticise the current regime, the senior stars still hold Jones in high regard.

England's senior leadership group of experienced players is known to have enjoyed the Test set-up more than ever this year.

The players are understood to have felt more able to make suggestions, with the squad taking greater ownership of certain training-camp elements.

England held player-only meetings each week of their Autumn Nations Series schedule in November, with boss Jones' blessing and encouragement.

A renewed feel-good factor remains at odds with performances and results however, with England losing to Argentina and South Africa in November, beating Japan and clawing a 25-25 draw with New Zealand.

Jones was due to relinquish his head coaching role after next year's World Cup in France, which would complete eight years at the helm.

The 62-year-old could yet find himself unseated ahead of time, though the RFU would have to pay upwards of £1million in compensation to remove Jones and his coaching staff.

Steve Borthwick and Scott Robertson have been on England's shortlist as long-term replacements for Jones.

Former Wales coach Gatland would be open to a short-term role with England up until next year's World Cup, should the RFU look to make a change.

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