Eddie Jones’ tenure as Japan coach has begun with two defeats in two games following a 38-23 loss to Scotland in Edinburgh.
Jones, who left England after a disappointing Six Nations campaign, was appointed Japan coach in September and tasked with leading the team to the 2023 World Cup in France.
However, his first two games in charge have been a chastening experience, with Japan losing 104-14 to New Zealand last week before Saturday’s defeat to Scotland.
Jones made several changes to the team that was thrashed by New Zealand, including recalling veteran fly-half Yu Tamura and handing starts to several uncapped players.
But Japan were again outclassed by a more experienced and physical Scotland side, who scored five tries through Blair Kinghorn (2), Rory Sutherland, Matt Fagerson, and Ben White.
Jones admitted after the game that he was disappointed with the result and that Japan had a lot of work to do.
We were beaten by a better team today, he said. Scotland were more physical, more organized, and more clinical than us.
We need to learn from this experience and improve quickly. We have a lot of work to do before the World Cup next year.
Japan’s next game is against Ireland in Dublin on November 13th and Luke Cowan-Dickie scored two of their three tries in Edinburgh while Sione Tu’ipulotu got the other.
However, Scotland were always in control of the match and the scoreline could have been even more emphatic had they not missed several chances to score.
Gregor Townsend’s side will now head to South Africa for a three-match tour while Japan will play England at Twickenham on November 12th.
Kind regards C. Dixon.
