Eddie Jones has been named as England's first overseas head coach on a four-year contract.

The 55 year-old Australian only started work as Stormers coach this month after almost guiding Japan to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup for the first time.

But former Australia coach Jones has now opted to make a return to international rugby as successor to Stuart Lancaster, whose reign ended by mutual consent following England's failure at the World Cup on home soil.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie spoke of the importance of appointing a head coach with proven international experience and Jones fits the bill.

He was shortlisted for World Rugby's Coach of the Year award – which was won by Australia's Michael Cheika – after Japan won three of its four Pool B matches in the World Cup, including a sensational victory over South Africa.

Jones was in charge of the Australia side which lost the World Cup final against England on home soil in 2003 and was assistant coach of the Springboks when they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup four years later.

A number of touted replacements had already ruled themselves out of the running, including Cheika and Wales coach Warren Gatland, who masterminded a crucial win over England at Twickenham in September.