Japan Rugby
Japan line up Jones as new coach
ESPNscrum Staff
October 14, 2011
Saracens coach Eddie Jones looks on, Northampton Saints v Saracens, Premiership, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, England, February 14, 2009
Eddie Jones currently coaches Suntory Sungoliath in Japan © Getty Images
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Former Australia coach Eddie Jones is reportedly in line to take over as head coach of Japan.

John Kirwan will step down as coach of Japan in December after taking charge of their World Cup campaign which ended after defeats to France, Tonga, New Zealand and Canada in Pool A. And, according to the Sankei Sports newspaper, the Japan Rugby Football Union have identified Jones their first choice to replace Kirwan.

Jones - who is the son of a Japanese mother and Australian father and married to a Japanese woman - is currently coach of Suntory Sungoliath. The former Wallabies coach, who also had a stint as director of rugby at Saracens, has indicated his desire to take up the role but the Japanese club must sanction his release from his contract with them.

"I would definitely be interested," Jones told the Daily Yomiuri. "Getting Japan into the world's top 10 is a big task, but is achievable if everyone works together."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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