He could have joined up with France’s Rugby World Cup coaching ticket or returned to the loving arms of Jacky Lorenzetti and Racing 92.

During a feisty exchange with Irish journalists, Jones defended his claim that the parents of Irish fly-half Sexton "would be worried" about his whiplash injury.

Dick Advocaat has rejected the opportunity to become permanent head coach at Sunderland.

Robbie Deans has ruled himself out of the running for the Leinster head coach position. The former Australia coach had been linked with the post after it was announced last week that Matt O’Connor had agreed to leave the club by mutual consent.

Cricket Ireland will appoint New Zealander John Bracewell as their new head coach in the next few days. He will replace Trinidadian Phil Simmons, who left in March to become head coach of the West Indies.