Back in business.

Rugby Australia have appointed former England boss Eddie Jones as their new head coach on a five-year deal, a little over a month after his sacking by the RFU, with Dave Rennie departing the role to make way for him.

Jones was dismissed from his position as England head coach on December 6 after seven years in charge, and returns to the Australia set-up nearly 18 years after departing.

Rugby Australia confirmed the shock appointment on Monday morning local time, with Jones scheduled to start on January 29.

“It is a major coup for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos program,” Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said

“Eddie’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level.

“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”

England and Australia could meet at the quarter-final stage of the Rugby World Cup in France later this year in what would be a HUGE encounter.