Adapting key to Rugby WCup success: Jones

May 12, 2017 - 10:53 AM England will need to adapt to the vastly different conditions in Japan to succeed at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, coach Eddie Jones has said as he continues to fine-tune preparations for the tournament.

Jones has experience of rugby in Japan, leading Suntory Sungoliath to the Top League title in 2012 and taking charge of the national team at the 2015 World Cup in England.

"I know how difficult this place can be," Jones told British media while scouting for training camps in Japan.

"If you get things right, it can be a real joy and my challenge is to get our staff to believe that. We need to make sure we create an environment where the players are comfortable with that situation.

"Everything's going to be different. You can't expect it to be the same as a western tournament. It'll be a fantastic cultural experience for the fans and the players."

Jones said he was looking to find camps for his team rather than relying on the organising committee to provide facilities and warned other teams that a failure to adapt could lead to disastrous results.

"You could see upsets if teams do not take notice of the difference and adapt," Jones added.

"There will be two different types of weather ... I suspect the early part of the tournament will be stop-start and kicking-orientated. The rest of the tournament will be about scoring in many different ways. I can guarantee you we'll be prepared."

England are grouped with France, Argentina and yet-to-be-decided qualifiers from Oceania and the Americas in Pool C.

Source: AAP






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