Shower of Scotland
Shameful pictures show how thuggish, so-called fans accosted and abused England coach Jones following Murrayfield defeat
FOOTAGE of Scots rugby fans verbally attacking England coach Eddie Jones in the aftermath of a landmark win has left fellow Scots ‘ashamed’ and prompted condemnation from the sport’s governing body.
A shocking clip shows the Australian being cornered and castigated outside a train station following Scotland’s first Calcutta Cup victory in a decade.
Jones was making his way home following the 25-13 defeat when he was asked to pose for a picture by passers-by, carrying handfuls of drinks.
However, after the snap was taken the fans, apparently in high spirits following the game, then proceeded to swear and hurl abuse at the 58-year-old former Wallabies coach.
Four men can be seen huddling around a seemingly uncomfortable Jones as he poses for a picture, before shouting insults at him as he tries to get away in a waiting car.
Several of the group join in, referring to the coach as ‘baldy’ and using other extreme language.
Jones said the ordeal has put him off ever using public transport again. He said: ‘I try to do the right thing by the fans but if that happens you’ve got to have a look at your own safety.
‘I’m a human being. I don’t consider myself any different from anyone else. For me to travel on public transport, I thought was okay. But I’ll make sure I won’t in future.’
Scottish Rugby, the governing body for rugby union in Scotland, has condemned the incident, stating: ‘Scottish Rugby is appalled by the verbal abuse suffered by Eddie Jones.
‘The disgusting behaviour of those involved does not represent the values of our sport or its fans.’
It is understood Jones had been going back from Edinburgh to London but stopped off in Manchester to watch Manchester United defeat Chelsea in the company of Sir Alex Ferguson when the first incident occurred.
British Transport Police (BTP) is now investigating a second matter said to have happened on the final leg of Jones’s journey.
A spokesman said: ‘We received a third party report of verbal abuse towards a man on board a train between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston on Sunday 25 February. BTP officers met the train at London Euston.
‘No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.’
Fans took to social media yesterday to vent their anger at the treatment of the coach. Former Scotland star turned radio presenter John Beattie tweeted: ‘All right minded Scots will be ashamed of the abuse of Eddie Jones.
‘Most of us regard our country as having moved on from a myopic view of England.’
The Calcutta cup win, Scotland’s first since 2008, had already been overshadowed by a scuffle in the tunnel after the warm up.
Six Nations chiefs handed out a warning to Scotland and England for the bust-up between Owen Farrell and Ryan Wilson.
Tournament bosses wrote to both, reminding them and their players of ‘their obligations to uphold the reputation of the tournament at all times’.
Last night both Greater Manchester Police and the British Transport Police said they were aware of the incident but neither force said it was investigating.