Eddie Jones has resumed his controversial role with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath just over two weeks after England collapsed to another disappointing Six Nations.
The Rugby Football Union has stated it is comfortable with the work he does with Suntory, even though it means their head coach is working with top players from rival countries.
Last year Jones gave advice to New Zealand flyhalf Beauden Barrett and on this occasion he is coaching players including All Blacks star Damian McKenzie and Australia centre Samu Kerevi.
The England boss is among the highest-paid coaches in international rugby but for the past two Six Nations has presided over failed campaigns consisting of three defeats. The recent Championship is currently under review by the RFU.
“Eddie is over here at the moment helping us out. He’s hard at work. He’s not having a holiday here, that’s for sure,” Suntory coach Milton Haig said.
“He’s running a few drills for us around our breakdowns and doing a lot of talking to the young players.
“He’s not doing it because he wants money or praise, he’s doing it because he has a long affiliation with the club and he wants to see the club progress and see the young players progress.
“I think he gets a kick out of just helping out really and having no expectations. That’s probably a bit of rest for him in itself.
“I saw the kerfuffle that went on in the press over there (last year) – they probably won’t like it he’s talking to Samu Kerevi and Damian McKenzie at the moment.
“It’s a storm in a teacup – he’s just a rugby man and is really keen to talk to rugby people and see what he can learn off them.”
Jones retains the full backing of the RFU, despite performances in the last two Six Nations, with chief executive Bill Sweeney still viewing him as the best man to lead England into next year’s World Cup.
Sweeney stated a fortnight ago any of Jones’ commercial contracts have to be signed off by Twickenham, but his agreement with Suntory pre-dated his appointment as head coach in late 2015 and was declared at the time.
Jones’ decision to work in an alternative role in Japan while the domestic season ramps up – the Heineken Champions Cup knockout phase starts this weekend – remains highly contentious, however.
England play three Tests in Australia in July before embarking on a challenging autumn schedule at Twickenham of clashes with Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
This is Jones being himself, he has his own agendas. England would have known about his ego yet still signed him as Coach, I still see no problem with him helping a club side. He has the full support of the RFU, so they are the ones to be asked the questions! I do understand your frustrations for sure though, it just the way the game is now.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
With respect, I don't think you're getting this. Eddie is 6 years in as England coach. As an England fan there is no bigger issue in world rugby than finishing just 6 points clear of Italy in a 6N. On the back of a worst ever finish the year before. There just isn't a bigger issue right now. Why would you think there was one regarding Jones?
Simoc
Guest
Eddie has ups and downs and he is in a downer currently. His teams peak then get progressively worse like England is in the midst of. He peaked in the World Cup semis (vs All Blacks) and it has been downhill ever since. He needs to get booted now and start afresh after the next World Cup.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Only Jones knows what he is looking at, I just think that this not worth worrying about. There more important issues currently in the game, more in the Southern Hemisphere.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
No worries, get your meaning. However, given his revolving door to England camps and apparent lack of managed continuity in evolution, I'd rather he spent his time getting closer to English Premiership club rugby. Support from the RFU these days has more the impression of resigned capitulation when it comes to Eddie.
wigeye
Guest
Your blowing it up m8 and soon you will take offence . Dont think we said coaching Japan. I'd think some dont get you can just turn off the tap in England while your witha another team in Japan being half Japanese or not doesn't come into it . For me it's loyalty to the poms wc around the corner. In saying that reckon he will coach Japan at some stage :shocked:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
When I said on holiday I meant from International Rugby. This will be mentally more relaxing for him, and he has the support from the RFU. I should have explained what I meant by holiday, apologise. :thumbup:
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
You know this is vacation time?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
He is only helping a club side in Japan and not the National side, how does this help England? It has nothing to do with them, he is doing this while on holiday. He has not broken any rules and told the England Rugby Union, who have no issue.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
So how does this help England? You know, his real job. Given he's had similar jaunts and delivered the two worst back to back 6n's in England's history. Buthman's holiday, or taking the pith?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I have no issue with it JN, but some will blow it out of proportion. He is working with a club side and not the Japanese National team, he is not breaking any rules by doing this.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Surely Eddie Jones is not the only coach out there with alternative interests be they business or otherwise . Only question is do his employers have an issue with it or not . I’m not sure how being involved in Suntory and England can lead to a conflict of interests . It’s pretty easy keeping them separate methinks . . As long as he has cleared it with them all good . Jones on field results cop him enough legit flak as it is . This criticism of his involvement with Suntory seems just a bit petty.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I'll take it wherever I can find it Carlos ;)
Tim J
Roar Rookie
There is no issue with this, Jones is part Japanese and obviously still has a strong connection there. If it helps the club and Japanese Rugby in general then it can only be a good thing! Once his England stint is over he probably will Coach in Japan anyway.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Sometimes I agree with you. This time.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
However you cut this, for a guy who: Amongst other gaps, has failed to identify and develop a successor to Youngs at 9 as he continues to decline, after over 6 years in the coaches job Has a massive player pool but still can't find actual wingers to play in his sides these days Has never found a proper plan (b) 12 at centre, despite the obvious need to. Actually, has never installed a plan (b) in his teams period Is walking away from the Prem, his player pool, as it heads to the pointy end Couldn't select new talent at 10 until a Lions selection committee did it for him Has already visited this hot bed of rugby thinking several times, and then delivered England's worst ever 6N showing, followed by it's second worst ever. And he just happens to call Japan a second home. Cosy. Well, it all smells a bit for me.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Personally I don’t have an issue with it, although I have zero skin in the game. As long as his commitments don’t detract or impact his ability to fulfil his obligations to anyone then he should be free to do what he wants. I’d draw a line if he was consulting another National Union team though, such as the Brave Blossoms, as opposed to a club.
wigeye
Guest
But were they allready coaching a tier 1 country i ask. He's still coaching England to wc at this stage. Maybe he as his sights on Japan's head coaching. Surely can't be a boredom thing. He'll be getting paid twice :laughing: . Mia for England.
WEST
Roar Guru
I don’t see what the problem is. Eddie Jones might be many things.. But you have to appreciate his passion and dedication to the sport of rugby. I think it’s great for any of these players to expand and learn new things, more ideas and information can only be a good thing. Let’s face it, all of the top guys have met or been coached by a variety of coaches! Look at Gatland or Schmidt.. Graham Henry, all coached different nations during their careers.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
While he is talking to and/coaching DMac, Kerevi and the like. The argument seems to be that he is instilling knowledge or tactics/IP to these guys, the converse is also true, he is getting inside knowledge of these guys to take back to England. Ofcourse, Suntory has no issue, they have no real skin in the international game, so why would they care? I do wonder how Rennie and Foster feel - behind closed doors. The RFU kicking up a stink publicly would just make them look insecure, and England wants to show it has more spine and stiff upper lips than to do that too, so no one is going to say anything.