The Rugby Football Union has confirmed the appointment of Eddie Jones as England head coach.

The Australian, who ended his three-year spell as Japan coach after the World Cup in October, will begin a four-year contract in December.

Jones is the first overseas coach to take on the England role following the departure of Stuart Lancaster, who failed to guide the Red Rose past the group stages at the World Cup on UK soil.

The 55-year-old has had plenty of experience coaching at international level as he guided Australia to Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup success between 2001 and 2005, and also took the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, but they were beaten in the final by England.

Jones also played a part in South Africa's World Cup success in 2007 when he took on a technical advisor role, and later took charge of Japan, who caused one of the biggest shocks in international rugby when they sealed a 34-32 win over the Springboks in September.

The Tasmania-born coach had only just agreed to take over South African Super Rugby club The Stormers, but had to grasp the opportunity of taking the England role when the RFU came calling.

"Firstly my thanks must go to Rob Wagner and everyone at Western Province Rugby for understanding my decision and allowing me to return to the international stage so quickly," said Jones.

"The opportunity to take the reins in, possibly, the world's most high profile international rugby job doesn't come along every day however, and I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity.

"I'm now looking forward to working with the RFU and the players to move beyond the disappointment England suffered at the World Cup and hope to build a new team that will reflect the level of talent that exists within the English game. I believe the future is bright for England."

Jones's first high-profile game in charge will be against Scotland at Murrayfield in England's opening Six Nations clash on February 6.