Autumn Nations Series – Ireland vs Japan
📍 Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
🕐 Kick-off: Saturday, 8 November, 12:40 GMT
🎙️ Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds & BBC Sport live text
Whether you admire or loathe him, one thing is certain — Eddie Jones always gets the rugby world talking.
From masterminding Japan’s shock win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup to transforming England into Six Nations champions and returning to Japan for a second stint, the outspoken Australian remains one of rugby’s most influential figures.
Now, the Japan head coach has outlined his bold vision to “fix rugby” — a plan that challenges tradition and calls for sweeping reform at every level of the sport.
🏉 Eddie Jones: “Rugby needs a reset — financially and structurally”
Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social Podcast ahead of Japan’s clash with Ireland in Dublin, Jones said the sport has reached a breaking point.
“There’s no doubt we are at a financial point where something is going to have to give,” Jones warned.
“International teams are playing 15 Tests a year because everyone needs more money. That takes up 22 weeks — how can you have a strong domestic season with only 30 weeks left?”
The 65-year-old says the answer lies in a global realignment of World Rugby’s calendar, with shorter, synchronized domestic competitions and an annual Club World Cup to crown the best club team on the planet.
“The obvious solution is to have 10-team competitions around the world, all played at the same time, then create a window for a Club World Cup. That’s the icing on the cake — but it will take courage and coordination.”
💰 “Rugby needs its IPL moment”
Eddie Jones didn’t stop there. He says rugby must find a way to inject excitement — and money — into its domestic structures by taking inspiration from cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
“We need to bring more money into the game and make it faster and more exciting,” he said.
“Do we need a hybrid version of rugby — maybe 12-a-side — that can attract new fans and younger audiences? That could be the key.”
He believes traditional formats like Super Rugby have become “dead” in Australia and New Zealand, while England’s Premiership Rugby is “struggling financially.” Even France’s Top 14, he says, faces hidden challenges beneath its glamour.
“It’s not a healthy situation. The U.S. league is down to six teams, Japan relies heavily on corporate investment — rugby needs a new model to survive.”
Jones remains skeptical about the proposed R360 League, a privately backed global competition aiming to revolutionize rugby entertainment.
“They must have plenty of money,” he said. “If it’s about flying six teams into a city for a weekend, maybe it’ll attract players near retirement. Whether it changes the game — we’ll see.”
🚨 “The TMO is killing rugby”
Another major issue, according to Jones, is how rugby is being officiated.
He believes the Television Match Official (TMO) has gone too far, slowing down games and frustrating both players and fans.
“The TMO is killing the game,” Jones said. “We have the referee running over to a little monitor during one of the best matches of the season. It’s a farce.”
Referencing Tadhg Beirne’s red card in Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand in Chicago — a decision upgraded from yellow via TMO review — Jones called for drastic reform.
“We should limit TMO involvement to try-line decisions or missed red cards. Everything else should be left to the on-field referee. We must accept mistakes — and invest more in referee development instead.”
He also warned that constant stoppages are removing one of rugby’s most vital elements — fatigue.
“Players aren’t getting tired anymore. It’s getting so bad that teams could pick an 8–0 split on the bench — all forwards — because the game keeps stopping.”
🇯🇵 Jones’ Japan Project: “Building sustainable success”
Despite his global critique, Eddie Jones remains focused on developing Japan Rugby.
After a turbulent nine-month return to coach Australia in 2023 — ending in a World Cup failure — Jones is back at the helm of the Brave Blossoms, determined to repeat and build upon the success of 2015 and 2019.
“I wanted to coach either Australia or Japan at the World Cup in Australia. Things didn’t work out with the Wallabies, but Japan was an opportunity to keep building something.”
Jones says Japan’s future depends on nurturing talent at the grassroots and university levels.
“I’m encouraging the Japan Rugby Union to create a mini high-performance system within universities. That’s how you develop players consistently — just like Ireland have done.”
His goal? To make Japan “sustainably successful”, rather than relying on golden generations of players.
⏳ What’s Next for Eddie Jones?
Jones’ current contract with Japan runs until the next Rugby World Cup, after which he says he’ll reassess his future — and possibly leave the decision to his wife, Hiroko.
“I don’t know how long I’ll coach for. Maybe my wife will decide this time,” he laughed. “But I love rugby, and I love coaching. I want to see the game improve — we’ve got to sort rugby out.”
📊 Eddie Jones’ Key Fixes for Rugby
- Shorter, aligned global seasons – 10-team leagues and synchronized calendars.
- A Club World Cup – To unify the global club game.
- A hybrid, faster domestic format – To attract new fans.
- Reduced TMO interference – Only for try-line and serious foul play.
- Referee investment – More training, less technology dependence.
- Youth development focus – Building long-term systems like Ireland.
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