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Cape Town - The majority of England rugby fans appear to favour Eddie Jones as the man to replace Stuart Lancaster as coach of their national rugby team.
Lancaster on Wednesday stepped down as England coach after a torrid Rugby World Cup which saw the hosts knocked out of the tournament at the pool stages after defeats to Wales and Australia.
Well-known English newspaper, The Guardian, asked readers in an online poll to vote who they’d like to see as the next England coach.
By 08:30 (SA time) on Thursday, the majority of voters (36%) said Jones should be named new England coach, having recently led Japan to a shock World Cup win over South Africa.
Next in line is Wallaby mentor Michael Cheika with 12%, closely followed by former England coach Clive Woodward on 11%.
Behind them are Wales coach Warren Gatland (8%) and former Springbok coach Jake White (7%).
Also on the voting list are Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea (5%), Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder (5%), Bath coach Mike Ford (4%), Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter (4%), Scotland coach Vern Cotter (4%) and Worcester Warriors coach Dean Ryan (3%).
RFU CEO Ian Ritchie says they are determined to appoint a coach with a proven track record in international rugby, even if it takes long.
"The most important thing is to get the right person," Ritchie told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's very important we get a head coach of proven international experience. Speed is important, but the right person is more important."
While Jones may be favoured among England fans for the job, he has already been named Stormers coach for next year’s Super Rugby competition.
Jones has his first official press conference as Stormers coach on Thursday, and a lot of negotiation - and no doubt monetary compensation - would have to be discussed if the RFU is to lure him away from Cape Town.
