Rugby World Cup: Eddie Jones profile

bet365 News Team Updated: 19 Aug 23 07:50

As the 2023 Rugby World Cup fast approaches, here’s a closer look at the man who will be leading Australia into the tournament on French soil, Eddie Jones.

One of the leading coaches in the international game, Jones has earned his stripes over the years, working his way from humble beginnings to being one of the best in the business.

What	Rugby World Cup 2023
Where	France
When	8th September - 28th October 2023
How to watch	Stan Sport, Nine, 9Now
Odds	New Zealand 3.50, France 4.00, South Africa 5.50, Ireland 6.00, Australia 11.00

Humble start

This former school principal started out on his coaching journey by contributing at his former club Randwick in Sydney.

Gaining more experience when coaching at Tokai University in Japan as an assistant, he also was part of the set-up at Suntory Sungoliath.

Also part of the Japan national side as a coach, Jones then went on to take up his first significant role with the ACT Brumbies, before his first stint as head coach of Australia between 2001 and 2005.

Jones has not really looked back since and has gone on to have roles with South Africa, Saracens, Japan, Stormers and England before returning to the Wallabies job this year.

England spell had highs and lows

Jones’ time with England was somewhat of a rollercoaster ride with highs and lows over the seven-year spell with the RFU.

The Australian started brightly following his appointment to success Stuart Lancaster with England, as the Red Rose managed to win the 2016, 2017 and 2020 Six Nations titles.

A Grand Slam in 2016 was a superb achievement and it was much of that squad that helped England reach the 2019 World Cup final in Japan, only to lose to South Africa in the showpiece event.

Also winning the World Rugby Coach of the Year in 2017, Jones looked ready to take a developing squad into the 2023 World Cup.

However, Jones was to never get the chance. Two disappointing Six Nations campaigns in 2021 and 2022 helped contribute to the coach's eventual departure from Twickenham.

Tough start with Australia

After the departure of Dave Rennie it was always going to be a big task for Jones leading into the shortened 2023 Rugby Championship.

Losing all of their three games to South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand, the Wallabies finished with the wooden spoon, before another defeat to the All Blacks in Dunedin.

Jones made some big calls for his World Cup squad to follow, with veterans Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper both missing out.

A rather prickly send-off to the media before flying to Europe was Jones’ parting gift and now the Wallabies will have to do their talking on the field in Europe.