Former England manager Eddie Jones makes a stunning return to Test rugby to take charge of Australia

Eddie Jones has made an impressive return to Test rugby with Australia just weeks after being sacked by England.

The 62-year-old left Twickenham last month but has now been appointed Wallabies manager, with Dave Rennie set to be placed on gardening leave.

His contract is expected to run until 2027 and will include two World Cups and the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.

Former England manager Eddie Jones is ready to return to Test rugby with Australia

There’s a chance of a delicious clash against Steve Borthwick’s England later this year when the two nations could meet in the quarter-finals in France.

On Sunday night, Jones said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to return to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup.

“It will be an immense time for Australian rugby – as a proud Australian it is a great honor to come home and lead the national team these years.

Current Aussie coach Dave Rennie will be placed on gardening leave by the Wallabies

“The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth – if we can get everyone fit and healthy to the World Cup this year I’m confident we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning rugby World Championship.

“I saw how brave the Wallaroos were at Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year – it looks like there is a real spirit in this group that will drive the women’s program forward ahead of their next World Cup in 2025.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back home and getting on board.”

Jones left Twickenham last month but has now been appointed Wallabies manager

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan went public last month with his intention to bring home Jones, who is currently in the UK but will fly back to Sydney this week.

McLennan said, “Eddie is clearly a huge talent and a world championship contender,” said McLennan. “We have Dave Rennie in place but we need to think about how we can arm these recent events for Australia if Eddie wants to come home.”

Jones’ new role in Australia is also expected to see him overseeing the women’s Wallaroos team as part of a broader remit.

He led England to the 2019 World Cup final, where they were beaten by South Africa, but his seven years on the job came to an abrupt end.

England were whistled at Twickenham Jones at the end of their autumn season when they won just one game in four.

That was the final straw for RFU boss Bill Sweeney, who made the decision to fire Jones and replace him with Borthwick.

Sweeney has admitted he wouldn’t be surprised if Jones made an immediate return to the international arena and now it looks like that is about to happen.

There was no clause in Jones’ release from his contract in England preventing him from joining one of the RFU’s great rivals.