The first reason is that Jones’ overall track record speaks volumes about his ability to run successful teams, and the second is that he was in a very strong position, because he had already been guaranteed a two-year extension provided he reached the knock-out stage of the 2019 World Cup.
It meant that when it came to England finishing the tournament as beaten finalists Jones was in a powerful negotiating position – a bit like the tail wagging the dog – especially as most of his rivals had signed contracts for new posts already.
With Steve Hansen going to club rugby in Japan and Warren Gatland returning to New Zealand and also coaching the 2021 Lions, and almost every other top-ranked coach holding signed and sealed contracts, even if the RFU had wanted to go elsewhere, there was not a lot of choice.
The perception of the best Premiership contenders is almost always those at the top of the league, but Exeter’s Rob Baxter and Saracens’ Mark McCall have said regularly that they are happy with the journey they are on – and that’s understandable, because the move to international rugby is a huge transition.
It is the modern way that 12 months before coach and player contracts end they are already negotiating new deals because, rightly, they want a degree of certainty about their futures.
It still strikes me as strange that the RFU did not offer Jones a further four-year contract immediately after the World Cup, but at least we know now that he will be in charge until 2023.
This means that anyone with any aspirations to coach England after him will hope to have the contract done and dusted by the end of 2022, because Jones will not continue beyond the next World Cup.
Denne historien er fra April 12, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 12, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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England show who's No.1
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Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
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Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
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Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
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Barrington ready to power up the Mob
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Skivington keen to build identity
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Roebuck targets England success
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Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
