Eddie Jones: It is my job to protect my England players from RFU turmoil
Eddie Jones says it is his job to protect his players from any fall-out from Steve Brown’s shock decision to resign as chief executive of the Rugby Football Union less than a year before the World Cup in Japan.
Brown announced his decision to resign on Friday, just 14 months into the job, following mounting criticism of the governing body’s finances.
He will remain in his position until the end of the year, with Nigel Melville, the RFU’s director of professional rugby, taking over as interim chief exec until a permanent successor is recruited.
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Brown’s bombshell decision comes after Telegraph Sport had published details of a critical report of the RFU’s financial position compiled by former chief executive Francis Baron on Wednesday, and ahead of next week’s meeting of the governing body’s council.
His departure is unlikely to quell the unrest from those who are demanding greater transparency and accountability from the RFU hierarchy, with some clubs attempting to garner support for a special general meeting.
Asked if Brown’s departure would have any impact on his World Cup plans, Jones, whose side defeated Japan 35-15 at Twickenham, said: “My job is to make sure that it doesn’t impact. That is the only thing that I can do.
“I am not sure how (it will affect me). The only thing I can do is coach the team. That is the only thing I can do.”
Jones said Brown’s departure would be a “huge loss” to the RFU. A search for his successor will begin urgently given the need to have a new chief executive in place before the start of the World Cup next September and to oversee the succession plan for Jones.
“Look, he (Brown) is a good guy, a really good guy, and he has made his decision to leave the RFU,” said Jones, who was handed a two-year extension to take his contract to 2021 by Brown in January.
“I am not privy to why and he will be sorely missed. I will certainly miss him. I am sure the rest of the organisation will miss him. But life moves on and the RFU will keep pounding forward.
“He is good guy, good skills and has a nice manner as a CEO. He was very supportive of the team and he will certainly be missed.
“I was very surprised when I learned about it because I think he was enjoying the job.
“But you have got to remember those CEO jobs, particularly CEO of English rugby is a difficult job. You have got so many conflicting interests and you are always trying to manage the parties. It is a bit like being the head coach.”
