England's World Cup plans were thrown into disarray on Sunday night with news that Eddie Jones' trusted right-hand man, defence coach, Paul Gustard, is to take up a head coach post with Harlequins following the tour to South Africa in June.
Gustard, who has worked with England since Jones took over following the 2015 Rugby World Cup, will see out his duties on the impending three-test tour as England look to arrest a decline in their fortunes after three successive defeats saw them record a worst-ever fifth place finish in the 2018 Six Nations championship.
Jones stated in midweek that there is 'no contingency plan' if the rumours of Gustard's move to Harlequins were to prove correct. The England head coach simply said that he refused to address rumours. However, Telegraph Sport understands that there are talks ongoing as to how the void will be filled as England enter the 12-month countdown to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Gustard has been a central part of the England management for the last two and a half years. In the short-term Eddie Jones himself is more than capable of ensuring that the defensive systems put in place by Gustard will continue to be enacted in training sessions.
There would have been little or no change in the technical set-up over the next 15 months. However Gustard's upbeat personality will be missed. The former Saracens assistant coach oversaw a terrific defensive performance against the Wallabies in the tour to Australia in 2016. Jones is also without a permanent attack coach. Australian, Scott Wiesmantel, will fill that role in South Africa.
