Cash-strapped.

England head coach Eddie Jones will have to pay any coaches he wishes to bring in on a consultancy basis out of his own pocket, as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) continues to struggle amid a financial crisis.

The governing body have been forced to take cost-cutting measures, handing out a massive round of enforced redundancies, with the problems now starting to spill onto the national side.

Sportsmail are reporting that as part of these measures, Jones must use his own funds to bring in an consultants, with only Jonny Wilkinson’s fee to continue being paid by the union.

Jones has brought in the likes of George Smith, Glen Ella, Andrew Johns, Dr Sherylle Calder, Marc Dal Maso and Graham Dawe since taking the England job in 2015, but will likely be forced to put an end to bringing these specialists in – unless he wants to cough up the cash.

The report also states the RFU wanted to sack 2003 World Cup-winner Richard Hill from his post as England’s senior team manager, but Jones intervened and put a stop to it.

Update:

We have spoken directly to the RFU who have rubbished the story by the Daily Mail.

“The story is untrue – any suggestion that Eddie Jones has been ‘ordered’ to pay for staff or consultants from his own pocket is nonsense.” the RFU told us.

“Richard Hill is the England Senior Team Manager and a valued member of Eddie’s management team and his role is not in doubt.”