SINCE taking over from Stuart Lancaster in November 2015, Eddie Jones has not lost a game as coach of England.
The Australian-born, former Australia and Japan coach has transformed a team that were eliminated in the pool stages of their own World Cup into an almost unbeatable, second-ranked nation in less than a year.
But who is this mystery man that has seemingly brought new life to English rugby? Here’s what we know about Eddie Jones.
How old is Eddie Jones? What’s his background?
Jones was born on 30 January in 1960, so is 56.
Born in Tasmania, Australia to a Japanese-American mother and Australian father, Jones was schooled in the south-eastern suburbs of Sydney, NSW.
Through school, Jones became friends with Glen and Michael Ella, who helped shape his love for the game of rugby.
The brothers would go on to become some of the most influential Wallabies of all time.
Jones is a qualified PE and geography teacher, and worked as a school principal prior to becoming a full-time rugby coach.
Did Jones play rugby?
As a player, Jones featured heavily for prominent Sydney Premier-grade side Randwick, playing alongside current Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and former Australian coach Ewen McKenzie. Playing in the front row as a hooker, Jones also made a handful of appearances for New South Wales, and finished his career with a short stint playing for Leicester Tigers.
Which sides has Jones coached?
The Australian started his coaching career in Sydney with his former side Randwick.
Taking the helm in 1994, it wasn’t long before Jones used his Japanese heritage to take him into Asia, where he worked as assistant coach to Japan’s national team and head coach of Suntory Sungoliath in 1996/97.
Moving back to Australia in 1998, he coached ACT Brumbies before taking up his first international head coaching role with the Wallabies in 2001.
After leading Australia to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, Jones held his position until 2005.
Following his departure, the former hooker held an assistant position with the South African national team as well as two seasons in charge of Saracens in the English Premiership.
Prior to his appointment as England head coach, Jones had spent the previous six seasons in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath and the national team, the Cherry Blossoms.
What is Eddie Jones’ coaching philosophy?
According to an article penned by Jones shortly after his appointment as England coach, his philosophy in directing any team works on the balance of two key elements of the game: core skills and a healthy obsession with winning.
Jones believes that sport isn’t all about winning – a good coach must find the balance between focusing on team organisation in an effort to win and individual skill development.
“The attention on winning is great in one sense but it does not necessarily produce good rugby players,” Jones wrote in the Daily Mail late last year.
“You have to get that balance between fundamental skills and being obsessed with winning.
“Every session I coach – no matter what the team, whether international, club or school – I include basic, core skill work. It may sound repetitive but you have to work on those skills.”
What is Eddie Jones’ salary as England coach?
While the exact figure has not been publicly disclosed, Jones’ salary with England earns him around £500,000.
At the beginning of his time at Twickenham, England Rugby were also forced to pay out £350,000 to South African Super Rugby side the Stormers in order to release Jones from a three-year contract he had signed just a week prior.
How long will Eddie Jones be in charge of England for?
Jones has revealed he will stand down as England head coach following the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.
The English have New Zealand in their sights as they bid to climb above the All Blacks in the rankings and become the world's best side, but should Jones steer England to a second World Cup crown in three years time he won't consider extending his deal with the RFU.
Jones said: "Four years is enough. It is emotionally draining."
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