England boss Eddie Jones has agreed to a pay cut in excess of 25 per cent during the coronavirus shutdown.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is facing revenue losses in the region of £45-50million over the next 18 months as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The English governing body's executive team agreed pay cuts above 25 per cent on Wednesday, and just a day later head coach Jones has now agreed to follow suit.
Statement | RFU CEO Bill Sweeney has released a statement including details of a £7m support package for community clubs. Please read the full statement below. — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 25, 2020
Jones is the highest paid coach in international rugby, earning in the region of £750,000 per year.
The 60-year-old's current deal expires in July 2021 and as yet there has been no move to extend his contract until the next World Cup in 2023.
Chief executive Bill Sweeney revealed he has spoken to Jones, who has given the green light to the pay reduction while all rugby is suspended due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The RFU is now understood to be in consultation with the wider England coaching staff about temporary salary reductions, but Jones has already assented.
"Eddie is overseas at present and when I contacted him regarding our executive pay reduction proposals he immediately agreed," said Sweeney.
Twickenham had already forecast losses in 2020 due to the cost of last summer's World Cup campaign and only hosting two Six Nations games, but that has escalated due to the Covid-19 crisis.
A funding package worth £7million to provide support for clubs in England below the second tier Greene King IPA Championship, including £5million in loans, has been put together.
Many Gallagher Premiership clubs have agreed 25 per cent wage cuts with players, although this has met with some opposition.
