Heat is turned up on England coach Jones
PRESSURE was mounting on Eddie Jones last night, in relation to his controversial comments about Ireland and Wales, and England’s beleaguered Six Nations campaign — but he insisted that he relished being ‘under the pump’. Before naming his team to face the Irish at Twickenham tomorrow, Jones reiterated his apology for calling Ireland ‘scummy’ and Wales a ‘s ***** little country’, in a speech which suddenly came to light on Wednesday. Jones has declared an interest in taking on the Lions head coach job for the tour of South Africa in 2021. There has already been speculation that this episode might negatively impact on his hopes of earning that prestigious role.
Sportsmail understands that it is being regarded within Lions circles as a ‘storm in a teacup’ and that there have not been any discussions among board members about this news since it came to light. But former Ireland and Lions hooker Shane Byrne
told Sportsmail that the inflammatory comments captured on video may yet result in Jones missing out on the Lions job. ‘If there’s a 50-50 call between Eddie Jones and someone else and they’re looking at their flaws, it could be held against him,’ he said. ‘It was tongue in cheek but it won’t help him. Those comments will follow him around. ‘If he’s going for the Lions job in 2021, the media will bring it up.’ Byrne also claimed that the remarks will further galvanise an Irish squad who are closing in on a Grand Slam. ‘We all know there was nothing racist in it, but you use anything you can when you’re getting ready for a game,’ he said. ‘It’s perfect material. It’s certainly added a bit of spice. ‘They’ll have his words up on the wall in the dressing room, definitely.’ Jones himself tried to draw a line under the matter. After naming his team, he said: ‘I’m focusing on the game. The other situation; I’ve addressed that, I’ve apologised for it and I can’t do anything about that now.’ When pressed on how he is coping with the current pressure and adversity, and having a target on his back as the head coach of England, Jones added: ‘I love it. This is what we get paid for as coaches. It’s the best time in rugby when you’re under the pump and you’ve got to produce.’ The clash with Ireland was mired in yet more controversy last night as World Rugby decided to stand down an assistant referee for the match, fearing bias. South African official Marius van der Westhuizen went into the England camp on Monday to referee a training session, days before he was set to run the line in tomorrow’s Twickenham Test. This is allowed under World Rugby and tournament regulations as he was not refereeing the match, merely appearing as an assistant. But now Van der Westhuizen has been hooked from the game, with Nigel Owens taking his place on the touchline.