Japan head coach Eddie Jones endured a challenging return to Twickenham as his young Brave Blossoms fell to a 59-14 defeat against England in the Autumn Nations Series. The loss was compounded by an alleged verbal altercation with a fan during half-time.
Jones, sacked as England head coach almost two years ago, faced his former team for the first time in a match that saw England dominate from the outset. By the interval, England had built a commanding 35-7 lead, leaving Jones to navigate both a tough scoreline and an unpleasant encounter with a spectator.
“It wasn’t bad until some clown abused me going down to half-time,” Jones said. “But if there’s only one clown in 81,634 it’s not too bad.”
Eddie Jones
Despite the on-field disappointment and off-field distraction, Jones expressed appreciation for returning to “the home of rugby,” though he refused to elaborate on the specifics of the incident.
Set-Piece Struggles and a Tough Learning Curve
The Brave Blossoms struggled to find their footing in the first half, with a faltering set piece leaving them on the back foot early. England capitalized, racing to a 28-0 lead within the first 30 minutes.
Jones acknowledged his team’s difficulties, particularly at the lineout and scrum. “The lineout was poor, our scrum wasn’t good, and we struggled to compete,” he said. “But they’re a really young team, 200 caps today, and we’ve just got to accept it’s part of the process.”
Despite the defeat, Jones sees these challenges as critical for the team’s growth. “We’ve been up and down this season. There’s nothing we’ve massively improved or worsened; it’s all part of the journey.”
A Jab at Danny Care’s Claims
Off the field, Jones addressed recent comments from former England scrum-half Danny Care, who described the coach’s tenure as a “toxic” and “dictatorial” environment.
In response, Jones teased plans to release his side of the story in a forthcoming book titled “Caring About Care.” He quipped, “I’ll tell you, mate, I’ve got a new book deal coming out. Just signed it today.”
Looking Ahead
While England celebrated a much-needed victory under head coach Steve Borthwick, Jones praised his former side and wished them well. “Congratulations to England today. I’m glad Steve won’t have you blokes haunting him for at least seven days. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his orange juice tonight.”
For Japan, the focus remains on long-term development, with Jones committed to guiding his team through the ups and downs of their evolution.
