Eddie Jones capitalising on England's World Cup with series of Japanese commercial deals

Eddie Jones is capitalising on England’s World Cup campaign in Japan through the promotion of a number of personal commercial deals.

The latest in a string of endorsements is evident in Sapporo, the host city for England’s tournament opener against Tonga on Sunday.

Posters display Jones in a blazer and open-neck white shirt, sat at a table on which sits a bottle of Japanese gin named ‘Roku’. Headlining the poster is the phrase ‘Eddie Recommend’. Roku gin is a part of brewing and distilling company Suntory, who are owners of the Sungoliath club that participates in the nation’s professional league.

Jones, the former head coach of Japan who oversaw the Brave Blossoms’ most successful World Cup in 2015, has a paid consultancy role with the Top League side that is permitted by the Rugby Football Union.

The Australian’s duties have been compared to those of a director of rugby and he has held the position for the duration of his near four-year England reign.

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Jones has been visible in his promotion of bags made by Japanese company ‘Hunting World’, one of which hung from his shoulder as he passed through the arrival hall of Miyazaki Airport despite Canterbury being England’s official kit supplier.

The 59-year-old is also the frontman for a film promoting Sapporo that is entitled ‘Rugby Legends Journeys In Japan’, in which he strolls through a market and eats crab before enjoying a plate of noodles. Jones is understood to be the highest-paid coach in Test rugby, earning £750,000 a year including bonus-related pay.

When contacted for comment about the endorsements, a Rugby Football Union spokesman said: “We are aware of this and comfortable with it.”

– Press Association 

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