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Former Australia coach Eddie Jones to join Saracens

Former Australia rugby union coach Eddie Jones will succeed Alan Gaffney as Saracens' director of rugby at the end of the Premiership season.

Jones, who coached Australia to the 2003 World Cup final where they lost to England and worked with the South African team which lifted the crown last year, has signed a three-year deal with the club.

"It was always agreed that at the end of my two year contract, I would be stepping down from the role with Eddie taking over," explained Gaffney who joined Saracens at the start of last season helping to guide the club to fourth place in the Premiership.

"With stability at the club at present, this has undoubtedly contributed to our competitiveness in all competitions this season. That stability will continue with Eddie and with the long-term commitment he can give to Saracens, I think this is best for the club," Gaffney said.

"I'll be taking a part-time role at the club with spells at different times of the year and that suits me. It gives me flexibility to enjoy stints in England with Saracens and on top of that, I would also love the chance to explore other coaching opportunities around the world," he said.

"It will also allow me to spend some time back home which is something I've not done for a long time," Gaffney said.

"Eddie and I come from the same club in Sydney and we share similar views on the game so I would expect this to be a seamless transition," he said.

"However, that won't happen until the end of the season and in the meantime, we have an exciting second half of the campaign ahead of us as we sit third in the Premiership, at the top of our pool in the European Cup and in the semi-finals of the EDF Cup," Gaffney said.

"Eddie enjoyed a successful spell with the club at the end of the 2006 season it was always part of our long-term planning that he would return," Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry said.

"Eddie's knowledge of Saracens and his close relationship with Alan means we are expecting a seamless transition," he said.
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