Eddie Jones committed to coach Stormers

Japan’s Rugby World Cup coach Eddie Jones has quashed rumours linking him to England’s head coach job and has now officially taking up his position as Super Rugby coach with the Stormers.

Jones led Japan to sensational 34-32 victory over South Africa at the Rugby World Cup before signing off as coach of the Asian nation at the end of the World Cup.

The former Wallabies coach has been extensively linked to the England job and this has only increased since Stuart Lancaster stood down yesterday.

However Jones has ruled himself out of the running for the job at Twickenham and says that he is honoured to be coaching the Stormers.

“Western Province is one of the oldest and most prestigious unions in the world, so to have the honour to coach the Stormers is fantastic.

“It’s a very young squad but full of potential. We hope to play some good rugby in the next couple of years.”

Jones said that although he has been linked to England there has been “no contact” from the English.

“I’m committed to the Stormers, mate,” he told reporters.

“I woke up this morning and looked at (Table) Mountain, so I’m here.”

Jones said that he was hoping to develop a “a really distinctive brand of Stormers rugby” and hopes to build on the Stormers legacy as an attacking team.

In recent years the Stormers have been better known for their defence than their attack but Jones’ comments suggests that he wants to keep up the defence while bringing back the attack.

“We want to have the traditional South African base, which is set-piece defence — tough, uncompromising rugby,” he said.

“But then we want to add that Western Province flavour.”

“We don’t want the Stormers playing like the Brumbies. We don’t want them playing like Japan. We want the Stormers playing like the Stormers.”