One of the World's premier rugby coaches, Eddie Jones, will become Saracens Director of Rugby at the end of the current season.
Saracens have announced that at the end of the current season, Alan Gaffney will be succeeded by Jones in the role of Director of Rugby.
Gaffney will remain in charge of all playing matters at Saracens until the end of the current campaign after which time he will take up a part time role with the club.
Jones will then take up the role of Director of Rugby having signed a three year deal with Saracens. The former Australian Head Coach and recent World Cup winner with South Africa, is no stranger to the club following a three month spell with the Men In Black at the end of the 2005/06 season.
Chief Executive Mark Sinderberry stressed that Gaffney will be in charge until the end of the 2007/08 campaign but the succession planning for Jones to eventually take on the role of Director of Rugby began when he first linked up with Saracens in 2006.
Sinderberry said: "When he joined, Alan made a commitment to us for two years and you cannot say enough about what he and his coaching staff have achieved in that time that has seen the club become a competitive force in all tournaments this season. I am delighted that Alan will be remaining with the club in a part-time role and he will continue to be a huge asset to Saracens.
"Succession planning and consistency in staff is important to ongoing success in any business and in this case, we have one world class coach who is going to be succeeded by another. Eddie enjoyed a successful spell with the club at the end of the 2006 season it was always part of our long-term planning that he would return. Eddie's knowledge of Saracens and his close relationship with Alan means we are expecting a seamless transition.
"However, Alan will remain in charge until the end of the season as we look to build on what has been an excellent start that sees us competing in all three competitions."
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