Let's try to make sense of this, because it is all very confusing. The RFU insist they have a plan for replacing Eddie Jones as England head coach. That’s not how it appears.
Last week, Nigel Melville was asked to clarify the succession strategy. He spoke at length, but the situation remains as clear as mud.
In theory, Jones is contracted until 2021 and will oversee the development of a successor. Well, that was the intention when his deal was extended early last year.
The RFU have yet to put in place a solid succession plan for when Eddie Jones leaves England
More recently, there has been speculation that Warren Gatland will leave his post with Wales after the World Cup and switch allegiance to the Red Rose.
However, he has also been linked with a third tour as Lions head coach, to South Africa in 2021 — and the RFU are unlikely to be as accommodating in allowing him to take a sabbatical as their Wales counterparts have been.
Of course, it all hinges on what Jones does. If the national team don’t progress beyond the quarter-finals, he could be relieved of his duties, as per the terms of his contract. Or, as is more likely, he may just choose to walk away.
Speculation has grown that outgoing Wales boss Warren Gatland will replace Jones
Unless this has already been agreed behind the scenes, the decision to extend his deal has created unnecessary confusion. It was seemingly done to give the RFU breathing space, but that decision was overseen by Steven Brown, who was ousted as the union’s chief executive last year.
Now Melville is at the helm on an interim basis and is presiding over the forward-planning process, as Bill Sweeney won’t arrive from the British Olympic Association until August at the earliest. He may not even take charge before the World Cup.
If Jones leaves abruptly, what exactly will the RFU do? Gatland may covet the England job, but there is no certainty it will become available.
He could be lured elsewhere. The plan involving Jones acting as a mentor falls down on the basis that if the Australian is involved, he will wish to be in charge.
A hands-off role doesn’t suit him — and it wouldn’t suit many leading candidates to work under such a forceful character.
There is a conspiracy theory doing the rounds that, at a time of union cost-cutting, an in-house plan is on the cards, with Dean Ryan and Jim Mallinder joining forces to take charge of the England team. That would require a sudden outbreak of patience from the RFU, to allow the pair to find their feet at Test level.
England could opt to give the role to a coach excelling at club level such as Exeter's Rob Baxter
The same applies to English coaches excelling at club level, such as Rob Baxter and Richard Cockerill — but neither man would wish to be mentored. They would want to stand or fall on their own terms.
France have also identified Gatland as a target, but the French federation have declared that they will hold a ballot among member clubs, to choose who should be appointed. Bonkers.
The RFU won’t do anything so outlandish, but they are still in danger of presiding over a shambolic process.
Meanwhile, Wales and Ireland have their succession plans sorted, with Wayne Pivac and Andy Farrell ready to take over. See, it doesn’t have to be difficult after all.
Andy Farrell has already been announced as the successor to Joe Schmidt as Ireland coach
This Friday is the deadline for all unions to return letters to World Rugby indicating their intention to support the Nations Championship concept. That won’t happen, because it involves profound changes to the status quo.
The Six Nations bloc are set to turn their backs on the plan, to avoid the introduction of promotion and relegation in the annual championship. They like their cosy club the way it is.
The north-south financial gulf will now widen and the Tier 2 nations will be further alienated. This is a sport in which
