Bulls, England to agree on R4 million for Mitchell?

Cape Town - The Bulls are expected to announce the departure of John Mitchell to England this week.

According to Netwerk24, the Bulls and the English RFU have been negotiating a transfer fee for Mitchell over the past few weeks.

The report added that the two parties will agree over a fee of R4 million (around £218 000).

Earlier reports indicated that the Bulls had rejected the RFU’s offer of R900 000 (£50 000) and asked for R9 million (£500 000) instead.

Mitchell is set to become England’s new defence coach, replacing Paul Gustard who left for Harlequins following the June Test series against the Springboks.

The New Zealander’s tenure at the Bulls will come to a premature end as his contract was due to only expire at the end of October 2019. He had a torrid first Super Rugby season in charge of the Bulls, winning just six of 16 games to finish bottom on the South African Conference.

Mitchell was previously the England forwards coach between 1997 and 2000 under Sir Clive Woodward.

In his new role, he will now work alongside England head coach Eddie Jones.

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