Bulls and England in talks over compensation for Mitchell's release

In a report published by The Times, the RFU's chief executive Stephen Brown has confirmed that the RFU's cost-cutting measures won't prevent a deal from being completed for Bulls coach John Mitchell.

The report further states that the Bulls are demanding £500 000 in compensation for the release of John Mitchell from his current deal with the union, with the RFU offering £50 000 in compensation.

The cost-cutting measures taken by the RFU has resulted in a budget cut to the community and more than 60 redundancies across the union. England's World Cup budget has remained unaffected and the union still has the compensation money that Harlequins paid for Paul Gustard's release. 

Eddie Jones identified Mitchell as the man he wants to run his side's defence until the end of the World Cup, following the departure of Paul Gustard. Mitchell is contracted with the Bulls until October 2019 and previously worked with England under Clive Woodward between 2000 and 2001. 

The New Zealander is expected to earn £300 000 as England's defence coach, an increase of £100 000 on his current contract with the Bulls.