Whether you admire him or not, when Eddie Jones speaks, people tend to listen. From guiding Japan’s famous 2015 World Cup upset to leading England and Australia through dramatic highs and lows, the 65-year-old coach has seen it all in over three decades of rugby. Now, he wants to fix the sport he loves.
Jones on rugby’s future
Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast before Japan’s match against Ireland in Dublin, Jones shared how rugby must adapt to survive financially and competitively. “International teams are playing close to 15 Tests a year. That leaves little room for domestic seasons,” he said. His solution is global alignment — with all leagues having 10 teams playing simultaneously, followed by a Club World Cup.
Concerns over domestic leagues
Jones believes the sport’s foundation is weakening. “Super Rugby is dead. The Premiership has massive problems. Even France has issues,” he warned. He added that Japan’s rugby depends on sponsors, while the US top-tier league has dropped to just six teams. “It’s not a healthy situation,” he said.
A call for innovation
Taking inspiration from cricket’s IPL, Jones suggested introducing shorter, fast-paced versions of rugby to attract new fans. “People want excitement. Maybe we need a hybrid, 12-a-side domestic format that brings energy back into the sport,” he said. However, he remains sceptical about the proposed R360 league, suggesting it could mainly attract ageing players looking for one last big payday.
Frustration with TMO system
Jones also criticised rugby’s officiating, saying constant interruptions from the Television Match Official (TMO) have made the game slow and frustrating. Referring to Tadhg Beirne’s controversial red card against New Zealand, he said, “It’s a farce. We can’t have referees running to a monitor every few minutes.” He proposed restricting TMO use to goal-line calls and missed red-card offences while investing more in referee development.
Focus on Japan’s growth
Now back with Japan, Jones aims to make the team consistently strong. “I want Japan to be sustainably successful. We’re trying to create systems so young players can develop faster,” he said. His contract runs until the next World Cup, but he joked that his wife Hiroko might decide whether he continues. “I love coaching and I love the game. I just want to see rugby get better.”
Discussion about this post