Eddie Jones backed for England role

England will be recruiting a "global citizen" whose vision and thoroughness will lift the national team out of the doldrums when Eddie Jones is unveiled as their new head coach, according to two Test veterans to have played under the Australian.

The Rugby Football Union is thought to be in final negotiations with Jones as their search for a candidate of "proven international experience" to succeed Stuart Lancaster nears its conclusion.

Newspaper reports have suggested an announcement could be made within the next 48 hours after an agreement was struck on the amount of compensation to be paid to Cape Town-based Super Rugby franchise the Stormers for his release.

"Western Province Rugby is aware of the speculation regarding Eddie Jones's future. No further comment will be made until we have final clarity on the situation," Stormers director of rugby Gert Smal told South Africa's Sport24.

Australia captain Stephen Moore, who presided over a 33-13 victory over England at Twickenham en route to leading the Wallabies to last month's World Cup final, was given his international debut by Jones in 2005.

After jokingly pointing out that the coach of England's cricket team - Trevor Bayliss - also comes from Down Under, Moore backed the credentials of a man whose extensive CV includes spells at Japan, South Africa, Saracens, the Brumbies and Reds.

"Eddie is very thorough and always brings a lot of attention to detail," said Moore, speaking ahead of Saturday's clash between the Barbarians and Argentina at Twickenham.

"He looks at different sports and different teams to see what they do well, making sure that whatever team he's in charge of is at the forefront of the way things are done in sport.

"He's a very professional coach and knows what it takes to win. I imagine he's having a pretty busy week! He'll have an idea of how he'll want England to play.

"Eddie's like a global citizen. He's coached all around the world. He's a very professional guy and he won't see nationality as an issue at all."

Jones was brought in to strengthen South Africa's coaching team for the 2007 World Cup, playing an advisory role during a campaign that finished with the Springboks lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time.

Bakkies Botha, a seasoned international with 85 caps who played throughout France 2007, also views the 55-year-old as a wise appointment.

"Eddie played a bigger role in 2007 than people realise," said Botha, who will be making his final appearance in any form of rugby at Twickenham on Saturday.

"He brought calmness to the backline and gave a lot of confidence to the players, bringing the best out of them. He's the type of guy who has a big relationship with players and you know what he expects.

"He brings a lot of calmness to the coaching team. He's an awesome human being and coach.

"If Eddie is appointed it will be a good step and a positive step forward for England. If it happens, the Stormers' loss will be England's gain. He will definitely be a success. He knows what he wants."

Jones led Australia to Tri-Nations glory in 2001 and to the 2003 World Cup final, but it was his success in masterminding Japan's stunning triumph over South Africa at England 2015 - the game's greatest upset - that headlines his roll of honour.

"Just look at the Japan team he coached to victory over the Springboks - they outplayed us through intelligence, not brutality or strength, and that's the type of coach Eddie is," Botha said.