Jones can’t resist a dig at Gatland

– Eddie Jones has responded in typically sharp fashion after Wales coach Warren Gatland questioned whether England had played their World Cup final a week early with a stunning victory over champions New Zealand.

Gatland was speaking after Wales had been edged out 19-16 in the second semifinal by South Africa, who will now face England in Yokohama on Saturday in a repeat of the 2007 final.

The Welsh play the All Blacks in the bronze final 24 hours earlier, with Gatland’s last match after 12 years in charge coming against his native New Zealand.

“Well, guys, can you just send my best wishes to Warren to make sure he enjoys the third and fourth place playoff,” England coach Jones told reporters when Gatland’s comments were put to him yesterday.

Meanwhile the Australian, in charge of the Wallabies side that lost to England in the 2003 World Cup final, delivered a boost to Red Rose hopes of a second title by declaring Jonny May had recovered well from the dead leg the wing suffered in a superb 19-7 semifinal win over New Zealand.

The Leicester flyer had been a doubt coming into the All Blacks match because of a hamstring injury and played 45 minutes before leaving the field with a fresh fitness problem.

But a smiling Jones insisted: “We had to tell Jonny to slow down a bit. He’s probably in better condition than he was last week at this stage.”

England captain Owen Farrell also suffered a dead leg but finished the game, with George Ford taking over the goal-kicking duties. – AFP