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Wakefield not perturbed by Jones rumours

Cape Town - Western Province Rugby Union president Thelo Wakefield is confident that Eddie Jones will not ditch the Stormers to become England’s new head coach.

Jones, 55, who only arrived in Cape Town on November 1 to head the Cape franchise's Super Rugby campaign in 2016, has increasingly been linked with the vacant England coaching position.

While several candidates - including Jones - have ruled themselves out of contention for the role, Jones' name simply won't go away when talk of who will replace Stuart Lancaster circulates.

Speculation that he'll assume the hot seat in the most lucrative coaching role in rugby union grew further this week with several UK-based news sites claiming contact has been made with the former Japan coach.

Numerous betting websites either slashed their odds on Jones taking over, or suspended betting altogether after a flurry of "large" bets were placed.

Wakefield though is confident that Jones will stay in Cape Town.

In an interview with the Cape Times, Wakefield said Jones had made it clear that he was not available for the England job and that there was no reason for them to doubt him.

According to Wakefield, Jones started his Super Rugby preparations with the Stormers on Monday.

At his first press conference as Stormers coach last Thursday, Jones said: “No contact... I'm committed to the Stormers. I woke up this morning and looked at Table Mountain... so I'm here."

Jones had also joked that day that you should "never believe anything you read in the papers."

"I'm happy to be here. The Stormers are one of the most prestigious union's in the world," he said.

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