Eddie Jones set to return to Twickenham as Japan face England in November
Japan's new head coach Eddie Jones.
Former England head coach Eddie Jones will return to Twickenham for the first time since he was sacked at the end of 2023 after Japan was added to the Red Rose’s November schedule.
It has been a turbulent period for the veteran coach since England decided to part ways with Jones who then returned to his home nation, taking over the Wallabies’ head coach role at the beginning of last year.
Tricky period
Jones opted for radical changes including a significant squad overhaul that ultimately backfired with the side failing to make it out of the Rugby World Cup pool stage for the first time in history.
His second stint with the Wallabies was littered with controversy as he allegedly had an online interview for the Japan head coach role just before he departed to France for the global showpiece. Despite repeatedly denying that he had an interview he was named the Brave Blossom’s head coach not long after resigning as Wallabies boss.
It is his second tenure with Japan with his first stint a memorable one for the Australian, who guided the Brave Blossoms to arguably their most famous win against the Springboks in the 2015 World Cup in Brighton.
Past v current
Jones’ successor in the England set-up, Steve Borthwick, served as his assistant for both Japan and the Red Rose, adding even more intrigue to the fixture.
The fourth and final game adds to what is already a blockbuster November for England. who host all three Southern Hemisphere giants beginning with the All Blacks then the Wallabies and the world champion Springboks before rounding out the Autumn Nations Series against Japan.
For now, Borthwick and his men are gearing up for the 2024 Six Nations which begins on the first weekend of February as England travel to Italy in the opening round.
🌹BREAKING: England will host Japan in November.
Borthwick’s side will also play the Brave Blossoms in Japan this summer, too.
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) January 25, 2024
England men’s 2024 Autumn Nations Series fixtures
Saturday 2 November – England v New Zealand
W/E 9 November – England v Australia
W/E 16 November – England v South Africa
W/E 23 November – England v Japan
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