ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones has set his side the target of a top-three ranking in the next 12 months and top spot within three years.
Jones said the ranking — aside from pride — was important for being seeded at Rugby World Cups, after the Australian boss led England to Six Nations success in March.
At last year’s World Cup, England were drawn alongside Australia and Wales in the group stage, which the host nation failed to progress from.
“To make sure you escape a pool where you’ve got three top-six teams you need to be ranked one, two or three in the world,” Jones told TalkSport, after adding scrum coach Neal Hatley to his backroom staff. “That’s really important for us.”
The declaration comes just two weeks before Jones is due to announce his squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, where they will play three Tests.
“What’s my expectation? To win the first Test,” he said. “If we win the first Test we’re in a position to win the series. Win the series and we create history.
“The second important thing is to go into the [World Cup] tournament itself as the best side in the world. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
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