Baxter is 10-1 to be England rugby coach

Eddie Jones sacked

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter is 10-1 to be chosen for the role as England coach after the dismissal of Eddie Jones, according to figures from Betfair.

England won just one of their four recent autumn internationals, tasting defeat at the hands of Argentina and South Africa.

Jones led the squad to an underwhelming third place in the Six Nations in March, and less than a year before the World Cup, the Rugby Football Union took the decision to sack him on Tuesday morning.

Former Chiefs lock Chris Bentley reckons that Baxter could be a good fit for the role.

“Rob would be a brilliant England coach," he said. "He’s stepped back slightly from his leadership role at the Exeter Chiefs, which means the ship would continue to sail. He’s led to them to domestic success, European success, and he’s coached a brilliant group of lads.

“It’s looking more likely to be Steve Borthwick [currently Leicester Tigers' coach], but I think Rob would do a brilliant job.”

Because Baxter has family in London, Bentley reckons a move into the England job would not be a “quantum leap.” 

No replacement for Jones has yet been confirmed by England Rugby.