Eddie Jones to be announced as Japan coach TOMORROW after holding a secret interview with Brave Blossoms before taking charge of Australia at the Rugby World Cup

Eddie Jones’ long-awaited return to Japan is due to be confirmed on Thursday, with reports saying the announcement is imminent.

Despite vehemently denying rumors that he was interested in returning to the Braveflowers, Jones is expected to be confirmed as the new coach after leaving the Wallabies in October.

Jones is believed to have conducted a secret interview with the Japanese federation ahead of the Rugby World Cup, during which he oversaw Australia’s disastrous campaign in France.

He was interviewed for a second time last week and appears to have done enough to convince Japan he still has something to give at rugby’s top level as reports claim he has signed a four-year contract.

According to Japanese media, he beat South Africa’s Frans Luedecke and will be unveiled on Thursday.

Eddie Jones will be announced as Japan’s new coach on Thursday.

Jones left the Wallabies in October and is on the verge of returning to the Brave Blossoms.

Jones, who is half Japanese, previously coached the Brave Blossoms from 2012 to 2015.

Former Wallabies manager Chris Webb will also reportedly join Jones at JFRU and recently flew to Japan.

Webb was greeted at the airport by the Japanese press, and Sponici reported that Webb said, “Nothing has been decided yet.”

“On the 8th, it was announced that Eddie Jones (63), who held the same position from 2012 to 2015, has confirmed his return as the next head coach of the Japan national rugby team,” the Sponichi website states. .

“If approved by the board of directors on the 13th, he will be officially appointed for the first time in eight years,” Sponici said.

“In terms of selecting the next head coach, Japan Association President Masato Tsuchida, who has a close relationship with Jones, led the comeback and made a secret offer to Jones, who was Australia’s coach this spring.

“In July, an open competition was held to nominate the head coach of the first division of Tokyo Bay League 1, Fran Rudicke and others. Final interviews with the two finalists were conducted in Tokyo on the 7th.

Jones reportedly conducted a secret interview with Japan while he was Australia coach.

“As originally planned, Mr. Jones was selected.”

Rugby Australia has since removed Hamish McLennan as chairman after a torrid 2023, with Daniel Herbert taking his place.

Jones’ doomed appointment following Dave Rennie’s sacking in January was seen as a “captain’s choice”, although McLennan claimed the move was supported by the board.