Eddie Jones Sparks Anticipation Ahead of England Clash
Eddie Jones prepares to face his former team England with Japan, hinting at an unorthodox strategy ahead of their upcoming match.
LONDON – In a highly anticipated rematch, Eddie Jones is set to take on his former England rugby squad as Japan heads to Twickenham for the Nations Championship on November 14. Jones, whose tenure as England's head coach from 2015 to 2022 was marked by both success and criticism, is likely to bring his trademark provocative style to the game.
Underdogs with a Game Plan
As Japan prepares for the match, they enter as the significant underdogs against a formidable English side. However, Jones has hinted at having unconventional tactics ready to disrupt England's rhythm.
“We aim to break the game up; sticking to a conventional rugby strategy might not lead us to victory,” the 66-year-old Australian stated, following a narrow loss to Wales where his team faltered 28-21 in Cardiff the previous week.
Jones added, “The English are not particularly responsive to unorthodox rugby. We must devise ways to play differently.” These comments are typical of Jones' cheeky approach, and England is aware of his knack for surprises.
Former Players Reflect
England hooker Jamie George spoke about the challenge of facing Jones once more, especially after their impressive 45-22 victory over Australia. “We’re always curious about what Eddie will bring to the game, so we’re ready for the challenge,” he remarked.
George was part of the England squad during Jones' coaching era, which included a memorable run to the World Cup final in 2019. “Eddie accomplished remarkable things for English rugby. Reaching the World Cup final and securing several Six Nations titles are testament to his coaching abilities,” he noted.
The Mixed Opinions on Jones
Despite the accolades, Jones' departure was surrounded by tales of a tough coaching style. In his autobiography, former England scrumhalf Danny Care depicted the environment under Jones as “toxic,” describing him as a “tyrant” and “despot.”
However, contrasting sentiments exist. Prop Ellis Genge acknowledged that while Jones has had his challenges, he remains a skilled motivator. “Sometimes, he doesn’t get it right, and there have been negative stories about him. But ultimately, he’s a good guy,” Genge stated.
Jones’ Current Journey
Jones is back with Japan after previously leading them to an iconic World Cup upset against South Africa in 2015. Under his guidance, Japan's rugby team has strengthened, recently winning the Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji.
Since the start of the Nations Championship in July, Japan has made strides, defeating Italy and giving Ireland a tough match before narrowly falling to Australia. Reflecting on the Wales game, Jones expressed pride in his squad, emphasizing their youth and determination: “We had a particularly young team, with some university students. One player even made his test debut at fly-half, and they fought valiantly,” he said.