Mitchell being lined up as Stormers coach

Cape Town based Super Rugby franchise the Stormers look set to lose coach Eddie Jones to England while former All Black coach John Mitchell is being lined up as a possible replacement.

Jones has reportedly flown to London to finalise the England coaching position even though he has signed a three year contract with the Stormers and the Western Province Rugby Union.

There are reports that the Stormers have accepted a large sum in compensation for the loss to Jones even though he has only been in the position for two weeks.

“We are aware of speculation regarding the future of Eddie Jones,” Stormers director of rugby and former Springbok forward and assistant coach Gert Smal told the South African media.

“No further comment will be made until we have clarity on the situation.”

However a Stormers official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: “We are going to lose Eddie. It is a matter of when he goes not if he is going.

“John Mitchell is a possible replacement. We have to move fast as I believe he is in demand and the Super Rugby season is just three months away.”

Mitchell moved to South Africa and led the Golden Lions to a Currie Cup title in 2011 but in recent times has become a TV analyst.

The Stormers are understood to have offered Mitchell the coaching job shortly after the previous coach Allister Coetzee announced that he was leaving to coach in Japan but Mitchell was not offered what he wanted.

“I showed some interest in the Stormers and was offered the coaching position,” Mitchell confirmed Thursday.

“Unfortunately, negotiations did not turn my head,” he added, with the sticking point reportedly being that Mitchell wanted a four-year deal and was offered only two years.

“I would consider the Stormers’ coaching position if it was offered, but nobody h