Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is to leave his position as director of rugby at Saracens with immediate effect, the English Premiership side announced on Friday.

Coaching co-ordinator Richard Graham will be in charge for the remainder of the current campaign.

Jones, Australia's coach when they lost the 2003 World Cup final to England in Sydney, had been due to leave Saracens at the end of the season ahead of joining Japanese club Suntory on a two-year contract.

No immediate explanation for his sudden exit was provided by Saracens but Jones is understood to be unhappy with the set up at the club.

Saracens courted controversy within English rugby when it emerged the club's South African investors, who are working alongside the club's longstanding English chairman Nigel Wray, planned to release several England qualified players at the end of the season and replace them with South Africans.

They had already selected a South African in Brendan Venter as their new head coach for next season.

Saracens, seventh in the 12-team Premiership, are at home to Bath on Sunday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP