5 instances head coaches have confronted their former facet 

By Charlie Elliott

Every time a participant or coach goes again to a former membership, there’s all the time a way of intrigue each with how the top coach or participant reacts to dealing with outdated teammates, but additionally from the followers. 

Over time this has develop into a divisive topic amongst these within the stadium. 

This shall be no totally different on Sunday when England face Japan. 

Eddie Jones will lead out the Courageous Blossoms, having beforehand introduced some spectacular success to England however presumably tarnished his legacy after a tumultuous finish. 

Listed below are 5 instances the place worldwide head coaches needed to face their former groups. 

Eddie Jones (ENGLAND v Australia, 2019 Rugby World Cup) 

It appears acceptable to begin this record off with Eddie Jones himself, with the Australian inspiring this record. Jones got here up towards his former facet, and nation of start, whereas England head coach just a few instances.  

The most important of all of those assessments was the World Cup quarter-final. 

Jones and England dominated to win 40-16 and would ultimately progress to the ultimate, shedding to South Africa. 

His file towards the Wallabies was spectacular throughout his England tenure, solely shedding as soon as in 11 assessments between the 2. 

England followers shall be hoping this isn’t replicated when he returns to Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) on Sunday. 

Steve Hansen (NEW ZEALAND v Wales, 2019 Rugby World Cup) 

In the identical event that Eddie Jones confronted Australia, New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen got here up towards a acquainted opponent within the type of Wales.  

Hansen was at Wales between 2002-04, having the unlucky file of getting the Wood Spoon on the 2003 Six Nations. 

He then went straight to his native New Zealand, first as assistant after which as head coach in 2012, the place he led his nation to their first-ever World Cup win outdoors of house soil in 2015, in addition to quite a few Rugby Championship titles on this time 

His final sport for the All Blacks got here towards Wales, within the third-place playoff of the 2019 World Cup. The All Blacks eased to victory with a 40-17 victory and put an finish to a really profitable teaching profession. 

Warren Gatland (Eire v WALES, 2008 Six Nations) 

Issues could also be getting fairly bitter for Warren Gatland now for Wales, however there are some fond reminiscences to look again on, no much less so than when he confronted Eire, who he was previously head coach of. 

With an unremarkable stint at Eire between 1998-2001 ending with him getting the boot, he floated round just a few membership groups and ultimately discovered himself a Wales head coach in 2007. 

In an extended first spell between 2007- 2019, which additionally bought him the British and Irish Lions job between 2013 -2021, he led the nation to a few of their greatest instances. 

One of the best of which got here towards Eire within the 2008 Six Nations, beating Eire 16-12 in Dublin, securing the Triple Crown and all however guaranteeing the Grand Slam, which they later did towards France. 

Michael Cheika (ARGENTINA v Australia, 2022 Rugby Championship) 

Now of Leicester Tigers, Australian-born Michael Cheika has had an extended and very attention-grabbing profession in teaching. 

He would discover himself as Australia head coach between 2014-2019, with some good contributions, together with Giteau’s Regulation which allowed abroad gamers to play for Australia. 

Cheika resigned after a poor 2019 World Cup, shedding to Eddie Jones’ England within the quarter-final. 

Whereas initially being an assistant at Argentina between 2020-21, he then loved a spell as head coach in 2022-23. 

One among his facet’s greatest video games throughout this time got here within the 2022 Rugby Championship, with Los Pumas annihilating the Wallabies 48-17 on house soil.  

This was Argentina’s biggest-ever win towards their opposition and confirmed some nice combat again following a 14-point defeat solely per week earlier than to the identical crew. 

Wayne Pivac (WALES v Fiji, 2021 Autumn Internationals) 

New-Zealand born coach Wayne Pivac was given his first probability at take a look at rugby head teaching in 2004 when Fiji appointed him to exchange Mac McCallion. 

He had some success, successful the Pacific Tri-Nations in 2004, and he helped them to Rugby World Cup Sevens glory in 2007. 

After leaving and staying at membership stage, Wales then turned one other nation to present him an opportunity at take a look at stage, succeeding Warren Gatland. 

Wales would win the 2021 Six Nations below Pivac and bought their highest factors complete towards England on this marketing campaign. 

Later that yr, Wales hosted Fiji on the Millenium Stadium, and Pivac managed to get one over on his former employers, with a comparatively shut encounter ending 38-23 to Wales. 

This caps off a choice of former head coaches who needed to face their outdated facet, and with most of them being profitable it begs the query whether or not there’s a probability Eddie Jones can do the unimaginable. 

READ MORE: Prime ten matchups to look out for within the Autumn Nations Collection this weekend