Report in the Daily Telegraph.
Less than a year to go to the RWC.
Eddie Jones is preparing to lose another defence coach in Anthony Seibold less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup in a blow to England’s preparations.
Seibold, who is based in Australia and due to fly over to London in the coming days to prepare for England's autumn Tests, has been heavily linked with a move to take charge of National Rugby League side Manly Sea Eagles, who sacked their head coach Des Hasler on Thursday.
Club owner Scott Penn discussed Seibold in an interview with Fox Sports, saying:
“Anthony has been at the club before, he demonstrated phenomenal intellect, he’s a great tactician, he’s really good with the players and he’s shown he’s got credentials as a head coach.
“We’re still working through our pathway whether that’s assistant to start or the full process but right now we have identified him as someone we’re very interested in and someone who certainly had a few false starts himself but he’s very capable and would do a tremendous job.”
Losing Seibold with such little time to prepare for the World Cup will undoubtedly make Jones’s challenge to end England’s 20-year wait for a second World Cup triumph, with only the five Six Nations games and four warm-up matches left for any replacement to imprint their defensive style.
A spokesperson for the Rugby Football Union informed Telegraph Sport that Seibold is expected to be with England for the autumn Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Seibold was previously a coach with the Broncos and Rabbitohs before joining Jones' England coaching staff in September last year, following the departure of John Mitchell.
Losing another assistant coach so close to the start of the Rugby World Cup would be a blow for Jones in his final year in charge of England. Mitchell was preceded by Paul Gustard, who left the defence coach role after their 2018 summer tour to join Harlequins and is now with Stade Français.
Immediately available replacements for Seibold after the autumn would include Nick Easter, the defence coach who has recently left Worcester Warriors. Jones' current coaching staff also includes forwards coaches Richard Cockerill and Matt Proudfoot and attack coach Martin Gleeson.
It must be an absolute treat to work with EJ. People just can't wait to jump ship.
Topic: Jones to lose England defence coach Anthony Seibold. (Read 641 times)
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