England to raid Six Nations rivals for Gustard replacement - reports

According to a report in MailOnline Sport, England will be looking north to find a replacement for departing defence coach Paul Gustard, not west.

Many people had been linking Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards with the soon-to-be vacant role with England, but Sportsmail understands that the much more likely target is Scotland’s defensive guru Matt Taylor.

The Australian joined Scotland’s coaching staff in 2012 and has played a key role in their rise to prominence in recent years, as well as helping mastermind the Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby title in 2011 and Glasgow Warriors’ recent ascension from midtable mediocrity to genuine challengers in the Guinness PRO14.

It is understood Taylor’s contract with Scotland extends beyond the upcoming Rugby World Cup, but with the Rugby Football Union boasting significant financial muscle and being unafraid of flexing that muscle, it would unlikely be a stalling point, should the role appeal to Taylor.

With Scotland consistently improving and Taylor positioned as Gregor Townsend’s right-hand man north of the border, there is no guarantee, though, he would want to leave for a role in south-west London.

Unlike Taylor, there is substance to Edwards being more open to the move, having previously interviewed for the Harlequins head of rugby position, the job that ultimately lured Gustard away from his duties with England.

Neither coach will come cheap for the RFU but with time beginning to run out ahead of the RWC in Japan next year, there needs to be an urgency in the appointment.

Since Jones arrived in 2015, England have utilised a raft of coaches in temporary attack and skills coaching positions and whilst Jones’ tenure has, for the most part, been very successful, the lack of a permanent attack coach has been labelled by many as a key contributor to England’s recent struggles.

Jones and the RFU cannot afford a similar situation with their current defence coaching vacancy.