England head coach Eddie Jones accepts 25 per cent pay cut as RFU braces for financial impact of coronavirus

Australian has followed the RFU’s highest-paid executives by accepting a reduction to his wage

England head coach Eddie Jones will take a pay cut of approximately 25 per cent as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) reacts to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Australian has followed the RFU’s highest-paid executives by accepting a reduction to his wage while the RFU prepares to lose up to £50 million in revenue as the result of cancelled fixtures.

“When I contacted Eddie regarding our executive pay reduction proposals, he immediately agreed,” RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said.

The RFU is reportedly also speaking with the rest of England’s coaching staff over the possibility of a three-month pay cut.

Last week, the RFU suspended fixtures at every level of the sport in England until 14 April. The news came after it was announced that the Premiership would be halted for five weeks.

The RFU said education courses and training sessions should be stopped, alongside matches.

The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup were also postponed, while Pro14 and Top 14 rugby was suspended indefinitely.