‘A little bit weird’: England cross paths with Eddie Jones in Japan Test | England rugby union team

Awith Eddie Jones explores the 40 reporters and six camera crews crammed into a windowless room on the fifth floor of Tokyo, almost like the old days. The last time he was in charge of a Test side in this city was the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and he was England coach. Five years later, however, it’s not just the badge on his chest that has changed.

For starters, he left two high-profile jobs and was rehired by the Japan Rugby Football Union for a second stint in charge of the Brave Blossoms. And now looking on from the England camp is his former assistant Steve Borthwick, with whom he has worked since 2008 when they were both at Saracens. The former master is about to be reunited with a former apprentice who knows him inside out.

Perhaps that’s why Jones chose to pull a big front on even the most innocent pregame questions from the packed house. “I know whatever I tell you is going to end up in a headline,” he told the small traveling group of UK-based writers at the back of the room. Maybe, but let’s be honest, Jones isn’t completely allergic to courting publicity at his convenience. Closer to the truth, potentially, is that his latest crop of Brave Blossoms, featuring four debutants, could feel the might of Borthwick’s revived England side at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Admittedly, it will be hot, with temperatures of 30C likely for the mid-afternoon kick-off and England will use ice packs and cold spray to cool down. Japan will also be keen on mustard, not least their 20-year-old rookie full-back Yoshitaka Yazaki, who is still at Waseda University and shares a dormitory with 150 other students. But as the visiting captain, Jamie George, said at his team’s seaside hotel a few miles into the city, this is an England team that increasingly feels real progress is now being made under Borthwick.

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Regan Grace receives a shocking call-up to Wales

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Regan Grace has been described as an “X-factor” player after his shock call-up to Wales’ summer training squad. Former rugby league star Grace [pictured]who has played just two senior union matches, can now travel to Australia for a tour highlighted by Tests against the Wallabies on July 6 and 13.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will finalize his traveling group after Saturday’s Twickenham clash against South Africa. He is expected to cut the current training squad by five or six players, but Grace is firmly in contention after Ospreys wing Keelan Giles was ruled out with a groin injury.

Grace, who signed for Bath in April, would not be eligible for the Springboks clash as it falls outside World Rugby’s summer Test window and England-based Wales players cannot be considered for selection. The 27-year-old scored 89 tries for St Helens and won three Super League titles.

“We’ve lost a few in the back three and he’s got speed. He’s got that X-factor,” Wales assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys said. “It’s great to put him in the middle and get to know him a little bit better. You can’t buy what he’s got and we’re excited to have him here … he can make things happen.” PA Media

Photo: Mike Egerton/Pennsylvania

While George admitted it might feel “a bit strange” with Jones in the opposition manager’s box – “We’ve just got to make sure we’re looking for the right one” – he also suggested Borthwick was privy to enough of Jones’ tactical wisdom over the years to turn the battle of wits into a competitive one. “You could see Steve was the head coach from the start,” stressed George, who knows both men well from his own long spell at Saracens.

“It was something he was destined to do. He has a plan for each individual, but also the way he maintains standards in terms of what he wants the team to look like has impressed me immensely. He is also very good at setting the tone for the week and is very clear about the game plan: he has a great understanding of your opposition but also how we want to manipulate them. Everything we do is to get better and that builds confidence.”

It is certainly true that several English players, either rejected or passed over by Jones, re-emerged as better, more influential players under Borthwick, ranging from George Fairbank and Ollie Lawrence to Ben Earl and George Martin. Tough love can sometimes get the better of young players, but the big difference is that England now clearly enjoy the more collegial, positive atmosphere associated with a more attacking game plan encouraged by Borthwick and his team leaders.

George, who had to deal with the death of his mother earlier this year and has continued without much rest since last summer’s World Cup warm-ups, is among those who firmly believe the team is on the rise. “I’m really so excited about the group we have here. I believe this team will go on and do great things. These three Tests – one here and two in New Zealand – are an incredible opportunity to show the growth of this team.”

The captain is particularly keen for his side to build on the attacking momentum they generated in their last two Six Nations games against Ireland and France, although there are one or two obvious wrinkles that still need to be ironed out. England have trailed at half-time in all five of their recent Six Nations games and with the All Blacks on the horizon, George is urging his team to stay mentally switched on against opponents who have never beaten England before.

“They haven’t played a game in a while, and since this is Eddie’s first game, he’s going to do everything in his power to get them in the right emotional state to come out swinging,” warned the hooker. “We’re going to have challenges throughout this tour, whether it’s the heat or going down to New Zealand and playing Eden Park with their record there. It might bring us more together… and hopefully we’ll get some results to show for it as well.”

However, Jones says he has a “really good feeling in his veins” and with the great Victor Matfield now among his coaching assistants, believes Japan will “take England to the last minute”. If they finish second, Borthwick and England will never hear the last of it.