Eddie Jones has extended his contract as England coach until August 2021.

Jones, who took up the coaching reins in November 2015, had previously been contracted until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Under his guidance, England won back-to-back Six Nations titles and have also sealed series victories in Australia and Argentina.

‘Coaching England is a dream job for me, and I was delighted to be asked to stay on after the World Cup [in] 2019,’ Jones said in a statement.

‘I have been completely focussed on developing a team capable of being the No 1 rugby team in the world and winning the World Cup in 2019. I never take my role as England head coach for granted and did not presume I would be asked to stay on, but, once the conversations started very recently, it was not a difficult decision to make.

‘These are exciting times for English rugby, with a focused and committed squad who are full of potential and determined to win. I will continue to work as hard as I can to make England the world’s best rugby team.’

However, it was confirmed that as part of a succession plan, a new head coach was likely to be appointed by the end of the 2019-20 season, with a view to a smooth coaching transition. The new coach will work with Jones until mid-2021, before leading England to the 2023 World Cup.

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