LONDON – England coach Eddie Jones has extended his contract until 2021, abandoning previous plans to leave the job after the 2019 World Cup, the RFU said Wednesday.
The Australian's successor will be named by the end of the 2019-2020 season and Jones will work with them to ensure “a smooth coaching transition”, the Rugby Football Union said.
Jones had been due to step down after next year's World Cup in Japan but having overseen a run of 22 wins from 23 Tests, his employers have decided to lengthen the 57-year-old's reign.
“I 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,” Jones said.
RFU chief executive Steve Brown said Jones' results “speak for themselves”.
“Under Eddie's leadership, we have risen from eight to second in the world -- and Eddie won't be satisfied until we are number one.
“He has a 95 percent win rate at the helm, and has been a galvanising force for the RFU, bringing focus, clarity and extraordinary commitment to the role.”