Eddie Jones makes stunning Australia return as World Cup meeting with England looms

Eddie Jones has made a stunning Test return as Australia head coach – setting the new Wallabies boss on a World Cup quarter-final collision course with his former employers

England. Australia have sacked Dave Rennie and installed Jones as head coach, snapping up the 62-year-old free agent who was dismissed by England in December. Just

hours before new England boss Steve Borthwick was due announce his Six Nations squad at Twickenham, the ever-wily Jones seized the spotlight with his unveiling with the

Wallabies. English supremo Bill Sweeney admitted in December he would be “amazed” if Jones did not take up a role with Australia. But the RFU chief executive did not in all

probability expect that job to be head coach. England could face Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals in France in the autumn, and the devilish part of Jones will

already be hoping he could knock over his old charges. Jones led Australia to the 2003 World Cup final only to be edged out by England, in his first Wallabies head coach

stint, between 2001 and 2005. “It is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to come home to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup,” said Jones, who has signed

a deal to lead Australia until after the 2027 World Cup. “It is going to be an immense period for Australian rugby, as a proud Australian it is a great honour to be able to

come home and lead the national team during these years. “If we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France

and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.