Eddie Jones to take attack coach on tour of South Africa in bid to address England’s poor form

England risk a six-Test losing streak if they fail to beat the Springboks next month, with Jones set to expand his coaching team in order to get back to winning ways

Eddie Jones will add an attack coach to his backroom staff for England's tour of South Africa (Getty)

Eddie Jones will look to address England’s worrying slump in form by taking an attack coach on the tour of South Africa next month, with the head coach already identifying the man he wants to join his backroom team.

England have been without a specific attack coach since Rory Teague left Jones’ set-up last May to take the top job with French Top 14 outfit Bordeaux Begles, with Jones taking on the duty himself for the 2017/18 season that saw his side relinquish their Six Nations title and lose three consecutive matches for the first time under his tenure.

With three difficult games against the Springboks ahead – as well as the annual match with the Barbarians this month – Jones has elected to bring in additional help for the summer, which is believed to have stemmed from his Six Nations review.

But despite knowing who he wants to bring into the fold, Jones said it will not be a long-term appointment.

"Certainly we need to bring in another coach to help with the attack," Jones told the BBC. "We are looking to take another coach on tour, and I've got the right person for this tour.

"When the time is right we will announce it. It's certainly someone I have worked with before.

"It has always been the case that we are looking for the right coach and when I can find the right coach who is available I will bring him on to the staff.”

Jones took former Australia full-back Glen Ella on the triumphant series whitewash against the Wallabies in 2016, while former Leicester Tigers, Bath and England back Sam Vesty has also been drafted in previously. Vesty is due to join Northampton Saints next season under the guidance of new head coach Chris Boyd, but could be available should Jones call on the highly-rated 36-year-old.

England have never won a series in South Africa, and with Jones potentially resting some of his British and Irish Lions contingent in preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup assault, the task ahead looks far more daunting than it seemed at the start of the year.

The calibre of the opponent could also improve ahead of the tour given that South Africa’s newly-appointed head coach Rassie Erasmus, formerly of Munster, is considering a change to the Springboks’ selection policy. Previously, players with fewer than 30 caps who were based outside of South Africa were not considered for selection, but with the nation dropping to sixth in the World Rugby rankings, Erasmus could bring in a wealth of options from abroad.

"We need to take some experienced players, but certainly there will be opportunities for young players and fringe players," Jones added. "It's always been a big tour. England have never won in South Africa, they have a 23% winning record in South Africa.

Dylan Hartley will miss England's tour of South Africa (Getty)

"So we can do something no other English side has ever done."

Jones is due to name his squad for the tour on Thursday, but knows he will already be without captain Dylan Hartley due to the concussion that he suffered in the final Six Nations match against champions Ireland that has seen him signed off for the rest of the season. In Hartley’s absence, Owen Farrell is set to lead the squad, although Jones admitted that he does have “other options” to choose from if needed.