Japan’s head coach, Eddie Jones, is preparing his team to face England this Saturday, 15 November 2026, at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham. The veteran Australia-born coach, aged 66, expressed his intention for his current squad to disrupt England’s game, aiming to create ‘chaos’ on the pitch. This match marks Jones’s return to Twickenham since his dismissal as England’s coach in December 2022.
Jones’s previous tenure with England concluded following a challenging autumn series, which included a 27-13 defeat by South Africa at Twickenham, drawing a negative reaction from home fans. Now leading the Brave Blossoms, Jones hopes to inspire a similar level of unrest among the English supporters, drawing parallels to recent upset victories by Italy and Fiji against England.
Japan has historically struggled against England, having lost all six of their previous Test encounters. Their most recent meeting two years ago ended in a 54-19 defeat. However, Italy achieved their first victory over England in March after 33 attempts, and Fiji secured their maiden win in 2023 with a 30-22 success, both occurring during Steve Borthwick’s coaching reign.
England’s Pressure Cooker Environment
Eddie Jones, who previously had Steve Borthwick as an assistant coach for both Japan and England, believes that England’s players are uniquely susceptible to external pressures. He highlighted the intense scrutiny from the English media, describing it as ‘unprecedented’ compared to other global rugby nations. This ‘noise,’ he suggested, can significantly impact the team.
Reports of internal friction between players and coaches emerged earlier this year, coinciding with a run of five consecutive defeats. However, Borthwick’s squad, who had asserted their unity, responded with a strong 45-22 victory against Australia last Sunday. Jones complimented Borthwick, calling him an ‘outstanding coach’ and an ‘intelligent man’ for his ability to guide players amidst such pressure.
Regarding England’s back row Henry Pollock, who scored two tries against Australia after coming on as a replacement, Jones downplayed the significance of his performance. Pollock, 21, has an impressive try-scoring record, averaging a try every 22 minutes in the Nations Championship, including a hat-trick against Fiji in July. However, Jones suggested that Pollock’s recent scores came without significant game pressure, stating, ‘Everyone was licking the ice cream on Sunday… there’s no pressure in the game.’
International Player Development and Global Impact
This match also highlights contrasting approaches to player development in international rugby. Japan’s first-choice fly-half, Ryunosuke Ito, a 21-year-old fourth-year student, is notably absent from Japan’s northern hemisphere Nations Championship campaign. Ito, who was scouted by Jones from university rugby and debuted against Italy in July without prior professional experience, is required by Meiji University for a collegiate competition. This commitment underscores how academic and club structures can influence national team selection, a dynamic seen in various sports ecosystems globally. Ito is set to join top-flight Tokyo club Suntory Sungoliath next season, where he will play alongside international stars like former New Zealand captain Sam Cane.
The rivalry between Eddie Jones and his former team England, led by his protégé Steve Borthwick, provides a fascinating narrative that transcends national boundaries. Such high-profile coaching contests, especially when a coach returns to face a former employer, draw considerable international attention and can influence broader discussions on coaching strategies, team psychology, and how different national sporting cultures manage pressure and player pathways. The outcome of this match, therefore, is not merely a rugby result but a case study in these complex dynamics.
As Saturday’s clash approaches, all eyes will be on whether Eddie Jones’s strategy to introduce ‘chaos’ can lead to a historic first victory for Japan against England, or if Steve Borthwick’s side can maintain their recent momentum and navigate the intense pressure of a home fixture against a coach well-versed in their strengths and vulnerabilities.
Image: BBC
Sources consulted
- The Telegraph: Steve Borthwick and Eddie Jones are still rugby’s odd couple
- The Times: Eddie Jones has eye for talent but Steve Borthwick is a better selector
- BBC: England v Japan: Eddie Jones sets sights on chaos and upset
Bruno Kadez is a sports writer focused on performance, competition, and athlete insights. He covers major sporting events, player analysis, and trending stories across leagues. His reporting captures both the data and the emotion behind the game.
