RFU confirm Eddie Jones will continue coaching role in Japan

Wednesday, 16 December 2020 at 10:19

bySteven Smith

England head coach Eddie Jones WILL continue as a consultant for Japanese Top League side Suntory Sungoliath, the RFU has confirmed.

England were drawn with Japan in the same group for the 2023 World Cup on Monday, but the RFU has revealed in a statement that there is no conflict of interests.

"Eddie has had a consultancy agreement with Suntory for over 20 years," an RFU spokesperson said. "We have been aware and comfortable with that since he joined the RFU.

"He provides consultancy in his holidays and this role is in no way a conflict with his England team priorities."

The former Australian head honcho also coached Suntory in 1997 and between 2009 and 2012, before taking up the position with the Japan national team.

LIST | 5 superstar free agents and where they’re going next

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There are a number of high profile rugby players who are currently without a club - here we look at where they could possibly end up.

1. Dan Carter

He is a free agent once again after his stint with the Blues came to an end. In April, he quit the stalled Japanese scene where he won a title for the Kobe Steelers on the back of his success in France with Paris club Racing 92. The 35-year-old played 112 tests for New Zealand, winning 99 of them and scored 1598 points which remains an international record. It’s expected he will move to Major League Rugby.

2. Kyle Eastmond

Eastmond is reportedly set to sign a short-term deal with Harlequins after departing from Leicester Tigers in July. The 30-year-old was one of five players to have departed, alongside Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, Greg Batemen and Noel Reid, Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said in a video posted on the club website.

3. Danny Cipriani

Gloucester have signed Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings to fill the hole left by the England fly-halves departure. The 33-year-old, capped 16 times by England, left with immediate effect after two-and-a-half years at Kingsholm, and will be replaced for the 2021-22 season by the 24-year-old Glasgow Warriors back. Early reports have Bath as the favourites to sign Cipriani with Sale and Northampton both also linked.

4. Brodie Retallick

The 28-year-old is back in New Zealand after his Kobe Steelers sabbatical was cut short by the COVID-enforced cancellation of the Japanese league. However, the lock has rejected an offer from Super Rugby side The Chiefs to remain a free agent. He’s reportedly having a bit of a break with his family before making his return.

5. Sinoti Sinoti

The Samoa international is a free agent after departing Newcastle Falcons for personal reasons. He had made 110 appearances since joining in 2014, his side-stepping and power-packed contact skills making him a popular figure with the Falcons faithful. It’ll be interesting to see where he pops up next.