Eddie Jones appointed England head coach

The Australian becomes the first foreign boss of the national team in the wake of a dismal showing in the home World Cup under Stuart Lancaster.

Former Australia and Japan coach Jones initially said he would not consider the job having signed a "long-term contract" with South African franchise the Stormers.

The 55-year-old masterminded Japan’s victory over South Africa in the World Cup and comes in after RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie promised a coach with proven international experience.

He has signed a four-year contract which starts in December and will take charge of England’s first match of the RBS Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6.

Jones told the England rugby website that he was grateful to be released from his Stormers deal and said the opportunity to take “possibly the world’s most high-profile international job doesn’t come along every day”.

He added: “I’m now looking forward to working with the RFU and the players to move beyond the disappointment England suffered at the World Cup and hope to build a new team that will reflect the level of talent that exists within the English game. I believe the future is bright for England.”

RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie said: “We promised to recruit a coach with proven international experience and we have done that.

"Eddie is a world-class coach, with extensive experience at the highest level with Australia, South Africa and Japan. We believe that the appointment, which was unanimously approved by the RFU Board, is the right one to bring England success in the short, medium and long term.”