As Eddie Jones surveyed the 40-odd A reporters and six camera crews crammed into a windowless room on the fifth floor of a Tokyo tower block it almost felt like the old days. The last time he was in charge of a Test side in this city it was the 2019 World Cup final and he was coaching England. Five years on, however, it is not just the badge on his chest that has changed.
For a start, he has left two high-profile jobs and been re-hired by the Japan Rugby Football Union for a second stint in charge. And now gazing impassively across at him from the England camp is his former assistant Steve Borthwick, with whom he has worked on and off since 2008 when they were both working for Saracens. The past master is about to be reunited with a former apprentice who knows him inside out.
Maybe that is the reason why Jones opted to thrust out a big front pad to even the most innocent of pre-match questions from the crowded floor. "I know whatever I say to you is going to end up in a headline," he told the small travelling posse of UK-based writers at the back of the room.
Perhaps but, let's be honest, Jones is not entirely allergic to courting publicity when it suits him.
This story is from the June 21, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 21, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Raducanu faces test of progress with Sakkari rematch
Home hope takes on ninth seed for the first time since victory in 2021 US Open semi
Murray farewell starts with emotional defeat alongside older brother
Andy and Jamie Murray spent their formative childhood years playing tennis at their local tennis club in Dunblane, where their mother, Judy, was the club coach.
Norrie beats Draper in battle of the Brits as Djokovic fends off Fearnley
British No 1 falls to seasoned compatriot after failing to match his speed and agility
'They're a tough opponent, this really could be a final'
RB Leipzig’s DaniOlmo will see familiar faces on and off the field in Spain's quarter-final against hosts
Stones senses mood change after England's big ‘turning point"
Centre-back hopes new mentality in Southgate’s side can fire them past Switzerland into the semis
Not so fast Can technology put the brakes on speeding drivers?
In the highway code and the courts, there is no doubt what the big numbers in red circles mean.
Chinese electric car firms hit with extra EU tariffs
The EU's top trade official, Valdis Dombrovskis, yesterday brushed aside concerns of trade war retaliation from Beijing against European business after the European Commission imposed duties on Chinese electric vehicles.
Beryl heads for Mexico after lashing the Cayman Islands and Jamaica
The Cayman Islands yesterday bore the brunt of Hurricane Beryl, which has been causing \"utter devastation\" on its path through the Caribbean since Monday.
Gaza ceasefire proposal is a 'breakthrough', says US, but hurdles remain
The White House has described a new Hamas ceasefire proposal for Gaza as a \"breakthrough\" establishing a framework for a possible hostage deal, but warned there remained difficult negotiations ahead over how the agreement would be implemented.
Harris favourite as s replacement candidate for Democrats
As Joe Biden faces increasing pressure to withdraw his US presidential candidacy following his poor debating performance last week, Kamala Harris has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him.
