Eddie Jones to jump ship from Japan Super Rugby team

Eddie Jones is the coach of Japan's national side. By all accounts, he wouldn't mind keeping that position.

After Japan was awarded a franchise spot in the Super Rugby competition, he was named as director of rugby for that team too. However, it now seems he plans to give up that role and take on a similar position with the Stormers. Jones admits he has been talking, but says no deal has been signed.

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2015/08/369649.html

That leaves the Japan franchise in a mess, and it wasn't looking great anyway. The franchise was supposed to announce its roster a couple of months ago but they have hardly signed anyone. Japanese players with places in other Super Rugby teams want to stay there. Players employed by Top League sides don't seem interested in the move. That Kyodo report in the link above speculates that Japan might even lose their franchise spot.

They should just get the thing going first with mostly foreigners if they have to and then gradually try to sign Japanese players.

If Super Rugby kicks the Japanese franchise out of the competition before it has even played a game, then it will be quite a blow to the globalization aims of World Rugby.

It will sort itself out I wouldn't worry. They could probably employ a ton of players from NewZealand or South Africa if needed. The talent and depth they have below super rugby could easily make them a decent team.

Looking grim for the Japanese franchise.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/super-rugby-set-to-cut-japanese-club-from-2016-competition-after-concerns-it-wont-field-side/story-fnp0m104-1227498654030?sv=4ab432b7914afd192cccb7b42e433827

Jones will also be leaving as Japan coach at the end of his contract.