Australia poach popular England coach Scott Wisemantel after quit hint – with Eddie Jones to name replacement next month

ENGLAND have had their highly-popular attack coach Scott Wisemantel poached by Australia.

Wisemantel hinted that he would end his Twickenham tenure after the World Cup when his contract expired.

And the Wallabies wasted no time in signing up the colourful Aussie ace who was influential in getting England to the Japan 2019 final.

England boss Eddie Jones is expected to name a replacement for Wisemantel later this month.

But he also needs a new scrum coach to replace Neal Hatley as well as a likely replacement for No2 Steve Borthwick, who is set to join troubled Leicester Tigers.

Jones said: "Scott's contract finished at the end of the Rugby World Cup and we had some discussions, but he has decided to move on.

";I know he will do an outstanding job because he was fantastic for us. We will miss him, but we wish him all the best and his family."

Wisemantel joins new boss Dave Rennie's backroom staff in returning home Down Under.

The 49-year-old said: "I’m really looking forward to returning home to Australia after ten years and for the opportunity to work alongside Dave.

“I’ve learnt a few things from working with various programmes around the world and it’s given me another perspective on how to view the game as an attack coach.

"Historically, the Wallabies have been innovative in how they play the game and how they attack so I want to bring that to the table.

"There’s a good group of players with some exciting talent coming through, which will create competition for spots amongst the current crop.

"I’m looking forward to get stuck into it and visiting the Super Rugby teams early in the New Year, seeing how I can learn off them and prepare for a really important 2020 season."