England boss Eddie Jones 'wouldn't say no' to Lions coaching role

Eddie Jones has declared himself "open to everything" when it comes to a potential coaching role on future British and Irish Lions tours.

The taskmaster Australian's contract as England head coach runs until the 2019 World Cup, and he has not ruled out his interest in one day coaching the Lions.

"I am open to everything. I don't sit there at night and think 'I hope I am going to be the next Lions coach'," said Jones.

"Because it is such a unique job there is no natural progression to it. It is a one-off job which is decided at a certain time and if you are in the market and in the right area then you are going to get a call and get a tap on the shoulder.

"I wouldn't say no but I am not saying yes.

"But the only thing I'm concerned about at the moment is coaching England, and I'm doing that until 2019. Then we'll see where we go, whether I continue coaching or I go and watch cricket in Barbados. I've never said no to anything.

"People in Japan ask me if I will go back and coach Japan, and I never say no. So, I'm open to everything."

Jones will coach a young and experimental England side in Sunday's non-cap international against the Barbarians, before taking a stronger squad to next month's two-Test tour in Argentina.

England will, of course, be without 15 Lions this summer, with Ben Youngs also having foregone his place on that tour following his sister-in-law's diagnosis of terminal cancer.

The continued global season wrangling has thrown up yet more discussions over player welfare, with the Rugby Players' Association (RPA) rejecting Premiership Rugby's plan for an 11-month domestic season.

Jones admitted England will bid to manage their Lions carefully when it comes to time on the field, even into the meat of next season.

"We will talk to the clubs; as long as we can get that understanding with the clubs in the autumn that they have had a proper rest and regeneration," said Jones.

"That is what we have got in mind. With the Lions, we will look at each of those guys.

"Playing three end-of-season games, they could be playing six end-of-season games so therefore we have to look at those blokes very carefully and we will.

"So that is another unique situation."