Eddie Jones appointed as Japan head coach on four-year deal

Former England and Australia manager Eddie Jones has been confirmed as Japan's new head coach until 2028.

Jones will take charge of the Brave Blossoms for the second time, after coaching them from 2012 to 2015.

After coaching Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Jones resigned shortly after the tournament despite having a contract until 2027.

This move to Japan has been rumored for a long time. There were reports during the World Cup that Jones had a job interview with Japan for the vacant position before the start of the tournament, despite having a long-term contract with Australia.

Jones repeatedly denied the reports during the competition, with the Wallabies' tournament ending prematurely during the group stages.

But relations between Jones and Rugby Australia deteriorated and he announced his departure on October 29.

“When you've had 20 years of unsuccessful rugby, it's because there's something wrong with the system,” Jones said at the time.

“The system has to change. We had a plan and it's impossible to change it. So I felt like my job would be compromised for the next four years, which I wasn't prepared to do.”

Jones replaces outgoing Jamie Joseph and will lead Japan into the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia. He orchestrated their famous 34-32 victory over South Africa in the 2015 World Cup, a performance which saw him named England head coach.

He won three Six Nations titles with England during his seven-year tenure and led them to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, where they lost to South Africa. He left his post with England with a win rate of 73%, the highest of any coach of the men's team.

The short spell with the Wallabies followed and Jones will now take charge of Japan from January 1.