Jones blames row for Sarries exit

Eddie Jones led Australia to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final against England

Former Saracens director of rugby Eddie Jones has cited a difference of opinions as the reason for his sudden departure from the club last week.

He had been expected to guide the team through to the end of the season but left with immediate effect on Friday.

"For the club to move forward and for me to move forward in what I'm going to do next, that was the right timing," Jones told BBC London 94.9.

"I have a contrary point of view and if I didn't, I'd still be coaching there."

The Australian, who is to become general manager of Japanese club Suntory, has been replaced by club coaching co-ordinator Richard Graham for the rest of the season.

Saracens have already lined up South African Brendan Venter to replace 49-year-old Jones permanently in the summer.

He continued: "Saracens have changed their ownership structure. Now they're 50% South African and 50% English and I think you'll see over the next 12 months where the club's going to go.

"I don't think anyone's quite certain where the club is going.

"There's been various things mooted about it becoming a South African franchise, then there's the other idea of an English club moving to central London and trying to attract the South African audience."

Jones has made no disguise of his differing vision of where Saracens should be heading.

He said: "When I signed for Saracens I had a set plan on what we wanted to do and where we wanted to take the team and progress the team and increasingly it became very difficult to do, almost impossible to do."

It is understood that around 15 of the 38 senior players are leaving in the summer.

Meanwhile, players from South African provincial sides the Sharks and the Stormers, who the owners also have controlling stakes in, have been approached about replacing them.

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The club's new CEO is South African Edward Griffths and along with the chairman Nigel Wray, they have tried to reassure fans that the club will not become a South African franchise.

When asked if Jones believed Griffths' assurances he said: "I think it's easy to say any number of things but the mere fact is that the actions of the club in the next 12 months will indicate what they're going to do.

"You've got seven or eight young English players now, whether that continues in the future you can only wait and see."

On leaving the club, Jones added: "The spirit the team's shown this year has been incredible. There's a really good group of loyal supporters.

"I hope that during the next six to eight games the club continues to show that sort of spirit and the supporters continue to support the team. And I'm sure if they do that this season's going to end well."

You can hear the full interview with Eddie Jones on BBC London 94.9's rugby union show The Scrum on Thursday 19 March at 2100 GMT.