HOPES that England Rugby will still use Jersey as a pre-2023 World Cup training base remain high, despite the sacking of Eddie Jones.
The men’s national side have used the Island’s facilities twice in the last 15 months, in the build-up to the last two Autumn Internationals campaigns, but a change in head coach has opened the door to uncertainty for next year.
Jones is believed to have made commitments for a summer return as part of their final preparations for the tournament in France, although his successor, Steve Borthwick, may have other ideas.
‘We were sorry to see Eddie go,’ said Jersey Reds director Morgan. ‘But between Harvey [Biljon, director of rugby] and I we do have contacts at the RFU who handle the logistical side of things, and pretty soon after Christmas we will put the feelers out to see where we are.’
It is understood that the RFU still has a booking at Strive for next summer and recent visits by Leicester Tigers – under Borthwick’s stewardship – could play in Jersey’s favour.
‘Leicester have been here the last two seasons so Steve knows the set-up well,’ Morgan added. ‘Also, with a number of Premiership clubs coming over, a large number of the players know the Island now and the feedback from them has generally been positive.
‘The whole reason Eddie was going to bring the guys here was from a familiarity perspective, knowing the training facilities are of the quality that they want.’
England are due to begin their World Cup schedule against Argentina on Saturday 9 September, in Marseille.
