RFU prepare for a ‘quick decision’ on Jones future

AS Eddie Jones prepares to learn his fate as England head coach this week, sources tell Sportsmail that the process is ‘going to be quick’.

The Australian is meeting with a review panel today, with chief executive Bill Sweeney set to report his findings to the RFU board tomorrow before a decision is finalised.

All the latest indications are that Jones is likely to be removed from his post. In that event, Leicester could find themselves with a major rebuilding operation on their hands if Steve Borthwick is offered the job — nine months earlier than had been expected. The Tigers have been contingency planning for months as their head coach has been the long-standing favourite to take over at Twickenham. They will not stand in Borthwick’s way, but may find themselves with other vacancies to fill as he would like to bring two key Leicester assistants with him. Defence coach Kevin Sinfield and head of physical performance Aled Walters may be asked to join their boss in swapping Welford Road for the national set-up. Meanwhile, the likely £1millionplus cost of upheaval to the RFU will depend on whether Jones’s assistants, including Richard Cockerill, Martin Gleeson and Matt Proudfoot, are retained. It would cost about £700,000 to pay off Jones’s deal — but the RFU may put him on gardening leave until November so that he is off-limits to other suitors.