Head coach Steve Borthwick is “doing a great job” as coach of the England national team, says new Japan head coach Eddie Jones.
Jones, 64, was released by England nine months ago before the Rugby World Cup last autumn and was replaced by Borthwick, who had worked under the Australian during his first stint as coach of the Japanese and English national teams.
England will face the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo on Saturday. It will be Jones’ first game as coach of the Japanese national team after Resignation as Australian national coach in October.
“It’s a stressful job in England, you’re more scrutinised than any other job in the world,” Jones said.
“For a young guy, he (Borthwick) is doing a great job.”
Borthwick, 44, had a disappointing first Six Nations season as coach before losing three of England’s four World Cup preparation games, including a first defeat against Fiji.
A third place at the World Championship and an impressive victory over Ireland This year’s Six Nations puts his team in a strong position for the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.
“He (Borthwick) handled it (the test) pretty well,” added former England manager Jones.
“He is really building the team, keeping a number of the experienced players and starting to bring in some young players.
“He did a really, really good job.”