Eddie Jones fires England warning as mind games begin before Japan reunion

Eddie Jones exuded his trademark glint when warning England that his callow Japan will push the Red Rose men to the wire in Tokyo.

Former England boss Jones used all his mind-game wiles after naming an inexperienced Japan lineup to take on his old protege Steve Borthwick’s side on Saturday.

Waseda University student Yoshitaka Yazaki will make his Test debut at full-back – before even his first-class club rugby bow.

Jones heaped the pressure on England by claiming that Japan have had just 10 days’ preparation in comparison to the tourists’ three years together.

Both numbers are incorrect: Japan have been in camp since June 6 and Borthwick only in post with England for 19 months, having replaced Jones in December 2022.

“We know England are strong, they made the top four in the World Cup,” said Jones, exploiting all possible subtext. “They have their traditional strengths, with their strong set-piece and kicking game.

“We are going to take England right to the last moment, I’ve got a really good feeling in my veins. We need to change Japanese rugby. We’ve gone for young players because that’s what we need at this time.

“England are three years into a cycle; we’re 10 days into a cycle. So, there’s a gap there. But we’ve got no excuse, we’ve prepared really well and we’re going to give it a red-hot go on Saturday.”

Jones has recruited former England assistant coach Neal Hatley to drill Japan’s forwards, with ex-All Blacks prop Owen Franks looking after the scrum.

South Africa great Victor Matfield has been brought on board as a consultant, extending the duo’s long association. Jones acted as a consultant when the Springboks won the 2007 World Cup in France, where he struck up a strong bond with towering lock Matfield.

Now the duo are reunited in the Japan coaching ranks, amid a star-studded backroom team for the Brave Blossoms. Japan are distinctly lacking in household names on the field however, though long-term back-row forward Michael Leitch has been named captain.

England boss Borthwick cut his coaching teeth working under Jones in the Australian’s first stint with Japan, that culminated with the stunning 2015 World Cup pool stage triumph over South Africa.

Borthwick then worked under Jones at England, with the Red Rose side driving to the 2019 World Cup final in Japan. Former England captain Borthwick replaced Jones at the England helm at the end of a wretched 2022 comprising just five wins from 12 Tests.

Borthwick inherited a broken England, but has built the side back steadily, securing a third-place finish at last year’s World Cup.

Jones took charge of Australia for the second time, for the World Cup in France, only to return the Wallabies’ worst-ever tournament performance.

Australia failed to qualify from the pool stages, and Jones paid with his job after his attempts at a youth revolution fell flat.

Jones appears wedded to the idea of prioritising youth, immediately adopting the same principle ahead of the first match of his second Japan stint.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones

Initially coy on assessing his old mentee Borthwick, the 64-year-old Jones eventually warmed to the theme.

“I know that whatever I say to you will end up a headline,” joked Jones, when asked to appraise Borthwick’s England.

“I think it’s a very good team, an excellent team, with some great selections and I’m really pleased for the squad.”

On Borthwick, when pressed again, Jones added: “Look, I think for a young guy he’s doing a great job.

“England’s a high-pressure job, with more scrutiny than probably any other job in the world.

“I think he’s handling that well, reassembling that team and bringing young players through. And I think he’s done a really, really good job.”