There will be no mercy, Jones warns Japan
– England coach Eddie Jones (right) has advised Japan to go to the temple and pray as he promised to show no mercy when the team he coached at the 2015 World Cup come to Twickenham.
England will head into the November 17 clash buoyed, if ultimately frustrated by a hugely encouraging display in an agonising 16-15 loss to world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.
That result, allied to England’s 12-11 win over South Africa in their previous Test, has calmed
Twickenham
the debate over Jones’ future that erupted after a run of five straight defeats earlier this year.
Jones knows how much Japan would love to cause another shock on English soil, having guided them to a stunning 34-32 win over South Africa in Brighton during the last World Cup – a result now widely regarded as the biggest upset in rugby union history.
Japan captain Michael Leitch was quoted as saying recently: “We’ve been bullied a lot by Eddie and would like to give it back by beating England.”
Jones responded with a stark warning for his old side.
“Pray, pray, pray. Go to the temple and pray. Just pray, it’s the best thing,” he said. “We’re going to be absolutely ruthless. If I was Japan I’d be worried.”
Jones plans to name his strongest available side amid talk he might use a game against “lesser” opponents as a chance to give fringe players Test experience.
He will, however, have to wait for injury updates on lock George Kruis (calf) and hooker Dylan Hartley, the England co-captain, (thumb).
Meanwhile, centre Manu Tui- lagi’s long-awaited international comeback following knee, chest, groin and hamstring injuries may well be put on hold again.
Jones added: “Japan are the highest-kicking team in the world, they’ve got a really good defence system and they’ve got some good young players coming through.”
And he insisted there would be no question of England playing “festival rugby” against the 2019 World Cup hosts.
“We’re taking it seriously and that’s why we have to be absolutely ruthless,” he said. –