Coach sorry for derogatory comments about Ireland, Wales
More motivation for Irish ahead of Six Nations tourney rugby match
England rugby coach Eddie Jones apologized again on Thursday for making derogatory remarks about Ireland and Wales that have added spice to the final weekend of the Six Nations.
At a business lecture on leadership in Japan last year, Jones referred to the Irish as “scummy” and Wales as a “little (expletive) place.” The footage was widely spread only this week, days before England takes on an Ireland side looking to win a Grand Slam.
“I apologize for the remarks. I sincerely mean that,” Jones said at a news conference at England’s training base.
Asked what effect his remarks would have on Saturday’s game at Twickenham, Jones added: “Ireland are going for a Grand Slam. I don’t think they need any more motivation.”
The English Rugby Football Union said it would apologize to the Irish and Welsh unions for comments that may yet count against Jones if he ever wants to coach the British and Irish Lions.
Jones was giving a talk on leadership for Fuso, the Japanese parent company of England sponsor Mitsubishi.
The footage was uploaded by Fuso to YouTube in July of last year, but it wasn’t picked up by rugby media outlets until this week.
Asked if he will reconsider giving similar talks in future, Jones said: “Possibly, yes. It’s something I’ll reconsider after the game. The only thing I am worried about at the moment is the game.”
In the lecture, Jones told an audience: “We’ve played 23 tests and have only lost one test to the scummy Irish. I’m still dirty about that game. But we will get that back.
“We will get that back, don’t worry. We have them next year at home, we will get them back.”
Earlier, Jones talked about Japan’s Under-20s team losing to their Welsh counterparts 125-0 shortly after he took over as the head coach of Japan’s senior team in 2012.
“Wales. Who knows Wales?” he asked. “Are there any Welsh people here? So it’s this little (expletive) place that has got three million people. Three million!”
Ireland has already won the Six Nations following its victory over Scotland last week and England’s loss to France on the same day.
England won the last two Six Nations.