Eddie Jones, the head coach of Japan, is preparing for a challenging match against England at Twickenham on November 14, 2026. This encounter is significant for Jones, who previously managed England from 2016 until his dismissal in December 2022. Japan, currently viewed as underdogs, aim to replicate Italy’s historic win over England earlier this year.
Background and current form
Jones, who returned to Japan in 2024 after a brief and unsuccessful second stint with Australia, has set ambitious goals for his squad. His team has never beaten England in six previous meetings, with their last match resulting in a heavy defeat of 54-19. However, Jones is confident that his players can disrupt England’s focus, particularly as they prepare for a subsequent match against New Zealand.
Strategies and key players
In a recent interview, Jones expressed his intent to create chaos and pressure on the English side, saying, “We’ve got to find a way to disrupt an England side that’s looking at New Zealand next week and sometimes may be a little bit distracted.” He believes that the scrutiny faced by England’s players can weigh heavily on them, adding that leadership is essential to keep the team grounded.
England recently secured a morale-boosting 45-22 victory over Australia, which may enhance their confidence heading into the match against Japan. However, Jones is keen to exploit any vulnerabilities. England’s back-rower Henry Pollock has been making headlines after scoring two tries against Australia, although Jones warned against overvaluing this performance, suggesting it was aided by a lack of pressure during the game.
Match preview
As the Nations Championship continues, all eyes will be on Twickenham this Saturday. Eddie Jones aims to inspire his team to finally secure a victory over England, potentially causing an upset that could resonate throughout the rugby world.
Bruno Lancelle, born in 1986 in La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), is a physiotherapist and a former rugby union fly-half who played for Toulon, Lyon, Provence Rugby, La Seyne-sur-Mer, US Bressane, Lille and Hyères. He is the editor-in-chief of Rugby Transfers and of its French edition, Rugby Transferts.
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