These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, December 16.

Jones warned results could cost him ahead of Wales tour

Eddie Jones will stay on as head coach of Japan but has been warned that any more poor results could see him dismissed after prompting some "harsh opinions" during his first season back in charge.

The 64-year-old returned to the Brave Blossoms at the end of last year - following a horror World Cup campaign with Australia - having previously been in the hotseat between 2012 and 2015. While he led Japan to their greatest ever triumph in his first stint as they beat the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, however, things have not gone as smoothly since his return.

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Under Jones, Japan have won just four of their 11 matches, with those victories all coming against weaker opposition. Their autumn campaign, meanwhile, saw them suffer heavy defeats to New Zealand, France and England as they conceded over 50 points in each of those games.

According to reports in Japan, the Japan Rugby Football Union were not satisfied with the performances they have seen so far under Jones, but have decided to keep him on as head coach. However, the report from The Nikkei claims that he has been warned that more poor results could cost him his job, with Wales among their fixtures next year as Warren Gatland's side tour Japan.

“Next year, when the team is expected to play against Wales and other teams, they will consider quotas such as world rankings," the report claimed. "Depending on the results, there is a possibility that he will be dismissed.”

JRFU executive director Kensuke Iwabuchi added: “There were some harsh opinions, but the board decided to support him and decided to keep him in his position.”

Welsh coach departs

Welsh coach Tom Williams has left Newcastle Falcons by mutual agreement.

Williams had been at the Premiership side for the past 18 months, having previously helped Jersey Reds to the RFU Championship title as backs coach in the 2022/23 season.

He joined as a transition coach in September 2023, before becoming an attack coach two months later. However, the Welshman now leaves the club with the Falcons sitting above Exeter Chiefs at the bottom of the Premiership table, having won just two of their seven games so far this season.

“Having spoken with Tom, we both felt that now was the right time to go our separate ways," said Director of Rugby Steve Diamond. “On behalf of everybody at the club I would like to thank Tom for his contribution during his time in Newcastle, and wish him all the best going forward.”

Williams added: “I’ve learnt a lot during my time with the Falcons and built some great relationships. I feel like now is the right moment to move on and explore new opportunities, but I wish the club every success for the future.”

International captain retires

USA captain Greg Peterson has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 33-year-old lock won 51 caps for the Eagles and represented them at two Rugby World Cups across a 10-year international career, while he represented the likes of Glasgow Warriors, Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers and Bordeaux at club level.

However, the Sydney-born star has now confirmed he is hanging up his boots, saying it is the "right time" to end his career.

“It was an incredibly hard decision to make, to step away from the game I’ve known and loved for 28 years of my life, 15 years as a career and 10 years with the USA Eagles, I believe it is the right time," he said. "I’ve had plenty of highs and lows with the Eagles, all of them have been critical to my success as a player and a person.

"I want to thank all the coaches, medical staff, administrative staff and teammates for your support, guidance and help throughout my playing career. I want to thank my parents, Carl and Diane, for giving me the drive, support and encouragement and most importantly wife Tess, without her, all that I achieved wouldn’t have been possible.”

He added: “The next step is daunting, yet exciting and I believe my career as a rugby player has given me some incredible skills and experiences to prepare for it. The growth and interest of rugby within the US is incredibly exciting.

"With the people USA Rugby have in charge, the men’s and women’s 15s and sevens will have incredible opportunities. Bigger games on bigger stages to inspire the nation’s untapped love for this game and its next generation of players. It has been a privilege to play a small role in something beautiful to come.”