Saracens head coach Andy Farrell has turned down the chance to join the England coaching staff, choosing instead to remain with the Aviva Premiership champions.
England, who are 11/4 with bookmaker to win next year’s Six Nations tournament, had opened negotiations with Saracens following Farrell’s recent secondment to the coaching set-up.
Stuart Lancaster, who was handed the England head coach role on a permanent basis after an impressive 2012 Six Nations campaign, had hoped to keep Farrell on as part of his coaching team.
However, Farrell says he wants to stay with Saracens, feeling he has unfinished business with the club.
“It has been a special privilege for me to be involved in the Saracens coaching staff for the past two-and-a-half seasons,” he told the club’s official website.
“The job isn’t anywhere near half done, and I have decided I want to help finish the job.”