When the hosts failed to make it out of their pool at the World Cup and coach Stuart Lancaster went the same way, chief executive Ian Ritchie said the search for his successor was for someone with international experience.
Plenty of experienced men were touted but Warren Gatland, Wayne Smith, Joe Schmidt, Steve Hansen, Michael Cheika and others were not available. Jones had taken up as coach at the Stormers with an eye on next year's expanded Super rugby series.
Those intentions were redirected because of his thirst to coach one of the major nations again and England's ability to reach a financial settlement with the Stormers and Jones.
Once Jones starts work he's got about a month before he has to pick his squads for the Six Nations and Saxons tournaments. He knew most of the players but he'd spend the time drilling down deeper to add to that knowledge.
"It's all about maximizing resources," he said. "The players will have to improve their skill levels like every player in the world."
Jones used All Black midfield back Ma'a Nonu as his example.
"When he first came in 10 years ago he just trucked the ball up and never passed it. He wasn't a particularly bright player.
"Since then he's developed himself into an unbelievably skilled player who makes the right decision when to kick and can throw off left and right.
"When you look at a player you do not just think about what he can do but what he has the potential to do."
Jones coached the Wallabies from 2001-05 and took them to the extra-time RWC final in 2003.
He coached the Wallabies to an historic Carisbrook victory in his first test against the All Blacks before guiding them to a return win in Sydney which finished Wayne Smith's head coaching term.
Jones had a five win six loss record against the All Blacks, assisted Jake White to guide the Boks to their 2007 RWC triumph and then coached Japan for four seasons.
