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Thursday 20 June 2024 13:22, UK
Eddie Jones has warned England they will be taken to the wire as Japan target a major upset in Saturday's clash in Tokyo, while England skipper Jamie George says his former head coach's mind games won't unsettle them.
Jones' second spell as Japan boss begins at the National Stadium where he is facing the side he coached for seven years until he was sacked in December 2022 because of a slump in results.
Adding further intrigue is that for the first time he will be coming up against Steve Borthwick, his former number two with both the Brave Blossoms and England who succeeded him at Twickenham.
Japan are expected to be swept aside, but Jones is backing a young team that features four debutants including university full-back Yoshitaka Yazaki to defy expectations.
"We're really looking forward to this game," said the Australian.
"We know England are a strong side and have got their traditional strengths of set-piece, kicking and kick chase. And they've developed line speed. What better start is there to see where we're at?
"Whatever we do in this game, we are going to take England right to the last moment. I've got a really good feeling in my bones that we're going to take them right to the last moment.
"If we're good we'll win the game. If we're not good enough, we'll work out what we've got to do to get better. It's pretty simple."
England sprang a surprise by naming their team on Tuesday, 48 hours ahead of schedule, in an unprecedented break from tradition by Borthwick.
It has spared the tourists any potential selection mind games from Jones, rugby's arch-disruptor who was gracious about Borthwick when announcing his own side.
"For a young guy Steve is doing a great job. England's a high-pressure job. You get more scrutiny than any other job in the world and he's handled that pretty well," Jones said.
"He's reassembling that team, he's kept a number of the senior players but is starting to bring some young players through.
"It's a very good team. Excellent team. Great selections. Really pleased for their squad."
England skipper George insisted his side would not be unsettled by any mind games from Jones as they prepared to face their former head coach for the first time since he was sacked.
Jones' seven-year Twickenham stewardship ended 18 months ago and after a disastrous and short-lived stint back with Australia, he was placed back in charge of Japan.
"I'm not sure that we can distract ourselves or be worried about too much of that kind of thing," George said.
"This is a huge game for Eddie - his first game with Japan and us going back there for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. There are some great memories and some not-so-great memories!
"But we've got a huge amount of respect for Eddie. He did great things for English rugby and he prepares his teams very, very well. He'll have a really good plan in terms of how to break us down.
"When he speaks about Japanese rugby, he speaks a lot about moving the ball, playing a fast game, high tempo - so that's possibly coming.
"But at the same time, who knows with Eddie - he's a bit of a master of his craft, isn't he?"
Saturday June 22 - vs Japan (6.50am)
Saturday July 6 - vs New Zealand (8.05am), live on Sky Sports
Saturday July 13 - vs New Zealand (8.05am), live on Sky Sports
Saturday July 6 - South Africa vs Ireland (4pm), live on Sky Sports
Saturday July 13 - South Africa vs Ireland (4pm), live on Sky Sports
Saturday June 22 - vs South Africa (2pm), live on Sky Sports
Saturday July 6 - vs Australia (10.45am), live on Sky Sports
Saturday July 13 - vs Australia (10.45am), live on Sky Sports
