Japan head coach was criticised for discarding players harshly during his Red Rose tenure but that tough love has paid off for someTo listen to Eddie Jones chewing the fat on assorted podcasts this week is to admire the enduring thickness of his coaching skin. The old crocodile smile is still intact too, along with his sense of humour after an interaction in a lift with a fan after his Japan side’s 28-21 weekend defeat in Cardiff. As Jones later confided: “This Welsh bloke came up to me and said: ‘You almost look human with your glasses on.’”Next up is a reunion with a few former friends – and foes – at Twickenham. While it is now almost four years since Jones was sacked by the Rugby Football Union, there remain mixed emotions on both sides. Those relieved to see him go in late 2022 will certainly not be too brokenhearted if there is a similar outcome to the last time a Jones-coached Japan came to Allianz Stadium two years ago and lost 59-14. Continue reading...