One is a measured, earnest coach trying to claw his way out of a tailspin with England; the other, a brash, mercurial tactician seeking to remind everyone why he’s still the smartest man in the room. The stakes? Oh, just everything: reputations, momentum, and England’s battered sense of rugby pride.
You see, this isn’t just another match between two struggling sides. This is Star Wars, only with less lightsabre action and more rucking. It’s the apprentice versus the master. Borthwick learned the coaching craft under Jones, first during their astonishing run with Japan and later as Jones’ lieutenant with England, steering the Red Rose to a 2019 World Cup final. For years, they were rugby’s odd couple: the fiery, unpredictable Aussie and the stoic, detail-driven Englishman.
But as in every great mentorship, the relationship didn’t last forever. Borthwick has spent much of the last couple of years doing his best to deconstruct Jones’ legacy in the England camp, both tactically and emotionally. Tales of a “toxic” atmosphere under Jones have spilled out like locker room laundry ahead of this weekend’s fixture, and Borthwick – now the man in charge – has been trying to wash it clean. So here he is, heading into a pivotal showdown against Jones’ Japan with the spectre of five straight losses hanging over his head. Japan warmed up for this match with a 36-20 win against Uruguay (surviving a second-half red card in the process) in Chambery, France.
What about Jones, then? Maybe he’s loving this. Fresh off his rocky World Cup campaign with the Brave Blossoms, he’s got nothing to lose but everything to prove. He’s still the guy who orchestrated Japan’s 'Brighton Miracle' when they took down the mighty Springboks. And though his Japan side is a work in progress, you can bet he’ll have circled this match on his calendar the moment the fixtures were announced. For Jones, he has the chance to show his protégé that he’s still the master strategist in front of a packed crowd in Twickenham.
The dynamic between them is fascinating. Borthwick, as a player, was a lock known for his line-out precision and work ethic. Jones was the one who saw coaching potential in him early on, giving him his first big break with Japan. Together, they masterminded that World Cup shocker in 2015, a result that put Japan on the rugby map and elevated Jones into the coaching stratosphere. When Jones took the England job, Borthwick was one of his first calls. Their partnership was critical to England’s revival, culminating in a 2019 World Cup final that had been preceded by an incredible victory against the All Blacks en route.
But like all good buddy movies, the partnership didn’t last. When Borthwick took over England, the narrative was clear: he had to succeed where Jones had failed, particularly in creating a harmonious team culture. Results haven’t yet followed, although a tremendous win against Ireland in this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations shows what a Borthwick team is capable of. England’s Autumn Nations Series campaign has been bruising and, after losing to New Zealand, Australia and now South Africa, they enter this match against Japan with a win-or-else pressure that no one envies.
Coaches facing off against their former mentors is the stuff of sporting legend in US sports, from Bill Belichick squaring off with Bill Parcells in the NFL to basketball’s Gregg Popovich teaching former assistants painful lessons on the court. Rugby, though, doesn’t often give us this kind of subplot. It’s part of what makes this clash so compelling.
And the banter? Well, let’s just say there’s been no shortage of intrigue. Jones has alluded to his role in building the current England team, hinting that Borthwick’s struggles may have roots in decisions made before his time. Borthwick, ever the pragmatist, has shrugged off the noise, sticking to his script about building the “right environment”. It's probable Borthwick would relish nothing more than silencing his old boss with a statement win (not unlike the one achieved over the summer, except here the stakes are far higher).
If the hype is to be believed, this match is about the state of English rugby, the future of Japanese rugby, and the way the sport navigates its own narratives of succession and evolution. But make no mistake: the showdown between master and apprentice is the headline act. By Saturday evening, one of them will walk off the pitch vindicated, while the other will be left wondering where it all went wrong.
So buckle up. Because when Borthwick and Jones meet, history isn’t just a footnote: it’s the main event.
England v Japan, Sunday 24th November, 16:10. Live on TNT Sports.
