Eddie Jones, Head Coach of the Japan National Team, cops 6-week ban

The Japan Rugby Football Association (JRFU, Chairman: Masato Tsuchida, Minato-ku, Tokyo) has decided on the following disciplinary action against Japan national team head coach Eddie Jones. 

This disciplinary action concerns remarks made to local match officials and others during matches played during the U23 Japan national team's tour of Australia from April 1st to 15th, 2026. 

In addition to the disciplinary actions listed below, our association has decided to reduce the salary of Japan national team head coach Eddie Jones and suspend his coaching duties as head coach of the Japan national team for six weeks from the date of the interview (April 24 to June 5). 

■Summary of the case:

As a person affiliated with the Japan Rugby Football Union, you are prohibited from violating any rules or decisions established by the Japan Rugby Football Union, its branch associations, prefectural associations, and organizations to which the Japan Rugby Football Union belongs (Article 3, Paragraph 2 (2) of the Ethics and Disciplinary Regulations, abusive language (ibid. (3)), acts that damage the honor or credibility of the Japan Rugby Football Union, its branch associations, prefectural associations, and organizations to which the Japan Rugby Football Union belongs, as well as all persons involved in rugby football (ibid. (4)), and any misconduct that is unbecoming of dignity in relation to rugby football, whether directly or indirectly (ibid. (9)).

■Date of decision on disciplinary action:

May 13, 2026

■ Disciplinary action under the Ethics and Disciplinary Regulations:

Four-match suspension (suspension from playing, participating in, or being involved in a match)

May 22, 2026: Japan Select Team vs. Hong Kong China Select Team

May 29, 2026: Japan Select Team vs. Hong Kong China Select Team

June 27, 2026: JAPAN XV vs. Maori All Blacks

July 4, 2026: Japan vs. Italy

Comments from Eddie Jones, head coach of the Japanese national team.

"I take this disciplinary action very seriously. At the U23 Japan national team match held in Australia the other day, my inappropriate remarks caused discomfort to the local match officials and all those involved. I apologize to everyone involved, and I deeply regret my words and actions. I will strive to ensure that such an incident does not happen again."