Matt Giteau has slamed England's decision to sack Eddie Jones as head coach after seven years in charge.
The decision comes just nine months before the start of the Rugby World Cup in France following the side's dismal autumn series.
The former Australian inside-centre, who made 103 international apperances for the Wallabies, took to Twitter in advance of England confirming the decison.
“If Eddie Jones gets sacked it would have to be the silliest thing they could do to the English rugby team,” he tweeted.
“He plans and plans and plans years in advance for this competition. It’s the one competition that he has got consistently right time and time again. Big mistake in my opinion.”
If Eddie Jones gets sacked it would have to be the silliest thing they could do to the English rugby team. He plans & plans & plans years in advance for this competition. It’s the one competition that he has got consistently right time and time again. Big mistake imo 🤯🤷🏼♂️
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) December 6, 2022
Giteau was handed his first cap for Australia by compatriot Jones back in 2002 with the pair working closely for a number of years.
Richard Cockerill will take over as interim coach, with Jones' former assistant Steve Borthwick considered the frontrunner to fill the vacancy and lead the side into the World Cup.
The RFU will now look to reach a settlement with Leicester Tigers as they seek to get their man.
The move may come as a surprise to some given Jones' World Cup record.
Eddie Jones - World Cup record
In 2003 he coached Australia to the final where they would ultimately lose out to England. He served as a Technical Advisor for South Africa as they won the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time.
In 2015 when he was managing Japan they were knocked out in the pool stages but caused a major upset to beat South Africa in Brighton.
England reached the final in 2019 before being comfortably dispatched by South Africa but put in an extraordinary performance to beat New Zealand in the semi-final.
During his England tenure his side won three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016, had two series wins in Australia and at one point an unbeaten run of 18 matches.
England also had their two lowest Six Nations finishes since 1983 during the seven years, finishing fifth in 2018 and 2021.
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