England’s Eddie Jones and Wales’ Warren Gatland have both been nominated for the World Rugby Coach of the Year award.
In his 12th and final year as head coach, Gatland is nominated after leading Wales to the third Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam of his reign and into the semi-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
For Jones, who won the award in 2017, it comes just days after England swept aside New Zealand to book their place in Saturday’s World Cup final for the first time in twelve years.
Gatland’s final year in charge of Wales has been one to remember with not only a Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam secured, but also a first Rugby World Cup victory over Australia since 1987 and a rise to number one in the world rankings for the first time in history.
England were runners-up in the Guinness Six Nations with Wales the only nation to beat them – twice – in 14 tests this year, and now Jones men have another shot at glory when they face South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday.
Jones and Gatland are joined in the shortlist by South African coach Rassie Erasmus, New Zealand’s Steve Hansen and Japan’s Jamie Joseph.
England and Wales have also been nominated for the World Rugby Team of the Year award.
The winner will be announced the day after the Rugby World Cup final on Sunday November 3 at the World Rugby awards in Tokyo.
