Will Greenwood backs appointment of Eddie Jones as England coach

Will Greenwood has welcomed the appointment of Eddie Jones as England coach and says the Australian has landed a "plum gig."

Jones has signed a four-year deal with the RFU and replaces Stuart Lancaster, who stepped down earlier this month in the wake of England's dismal World Cup campaign.

Jones led Australia to the 2003 World Cup final - where they were beaten by Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp drop goal - and was part of the South Africa staff for their 2007 success.

He made headlines at the recent tournament in England by masterminding Japan's victory over the Springboks - the greatest shock in World Cup history.

Jones, via interviews and newspaper columns, was vocal in his criticism of England both during and after the World Cup, in particular the way rugby league convert Sam Burgess was handled.

Greenwood says that may have been Jones' way of putting his hand up to be a candidate for the job, and the Sky Sports expert is confident the Australian will be a big success.

Greenwood said: "He says it how it is. He's been reported on during the World Cup, wondering what we were doing at No 7 and talking about the Burgess handling. That's someone who knew the job was up for grabs. He wasn't going to change his style, his methods, to pander to get the job.

"I'm very, very optimistic that England have got a very good, experienced coach and now time will tell what he wants to do with his coaching staff."

Steve Borthwick, the former England lock who is currently coaching at Bristol, is already being linked with a role under Jones, having worked with him at Saracens and Japan. Greenwood says Jones may make a further raid on the Saracens staff in the shape of defence coach Paul Gustard.

I'm very, very optimistic that England have got a very good, experienced coach.

Greenwood said: "Has he already called Steve Borthwick, with his connections at Saracens? Does it mean he now calls Paul Gustard, or is he already happy with how Andy Farrell does things? These things will play out."

One of the most controversial aspects of England's squad selection has been the RFU's insistence that overseas-based players are left out. Greenwood says Jones may put his foot down and demand they are made available.

He added: "Does he pick up the phone to the French players? I know the RFU have already said that policy won't change. How strong will be he be, how keen will he be to bring [Nick] Abendanon, [Steffon] Armitage, [David] Strettle into the fold?"

Regardless, Greenwood says that England fans - and Jones himself - have every reason to be optimistic for the future, thanks in part to the work of Lancaster.

"There's so much to be excited about. I'm absolutely confident that Eddie Jones will do a great job," said Greenwood. "Probably in about six months', 12 months' time, when some of his work is coming to fruit, he'll probably call Stuart Lancaster - he may have already rung him - and say thank you for this squad.

"We didn't want the results we wanted in the World Cup, but he's got a 23, 24-year-old average age, 25 to 30 caps a man, with four years to go until Japan [2019 World Cup]. I think he's landed a pretty plum gig."