England
Eddie Jones: Stuart Lancaster was too inexperienced for England
ESPN Staff
November 3, 2015
Jones: Lancaster was wrong man for job

Eddie Jones says England's Rugby World Cup campaign was doomed from the moment they turned to "rookie" Stuart Lancaster.

The review into England's dismal World Cup campaign is now in full flow with the five-man panel set to deliver their findings to the Rugby Football Union board on November 17. The role of Lancaster, who is contracted until after the next World Cup, is under scrutiny.

Jones, who masterminded Japan's impressive showing at the World Cup, has been linked with the role if Lancaster resigns or is sacked and he says England should have gone for a more experienced head coach when they parted ways with Martin Johnson following the 2011 tournament.

"Every Union that's successful, every national team that's successful, has a guy that's experienced, has a guy that understands rugby," said Jones, who also helped guide South Africa to their 2007 World Cup title and took Australia to the 2003 final. "The non-negotiables are simple and the Unions that falter are the Unions that don't follow those non-negotiables like England.

"You know, England pick a rookie coach to coach a home team at a World Cup. When you're a home team, the pressure on that coach is enormous. You need a guy that's got experience, has been through the loop, understands how to manage his team in that quite hostile environment. Because it is when you're the home team. And it's going to be same for Japan in 2019."

If Jones does come into the frame for any role with the RFU, the union will have to negotiate a settlement with the Stormers as they have appointed Jones as their new coach for the 2016 Super Rugby season.

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