Jones: I’m sorry England coach apologises for calling Ireland ‘scummy’
England coach filmed at business talk last year Hartley and Daly given more time over fitness
Eddie Jones, the England head coach, last night issued an unreserved apology after a video emerged of him calling the Irish “scummy” and Wales “this little s--- place”.
Jones made the comments last July during a seminar on leadership for FUSO, the parent company of Mitsubishi, a leading England sponsor. In discussing his record, Jones referenced his sole defeat to that point, a 13-9 reverse to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium that denied England back-to-back Grand Slams. Ireland play England in the final round of the Natwest Six Nations Championship on Saturday.
“We have played 23 Tests and only lost once to the scummy Irish.” Jones said. “I am still dirty about that game. We’ll get that back, we’ll get that back. Don’t worry. We’ve got them next year at home. We’ll get them back, we’ll get them back. I think we’ve got them in the fourth round [sic] of the Six Nations so we’ll get them back.”
Earlier in the video, Jones was discussing the challenges he faces as Japan head coach and referenced a Under-20 match that Japan lost 125-0 to Wales that took place early into his tenure. “Who knows Wales? Are there are any Welsh people here?” Jones asked the audience. “So it is this little s--- place that has got three million people. Three million. Japan has got how many? 125million people?”
The comments will be deeply embarrassing for the Rugby Football Union, even if they were meant in jest to a private audience. The RFU has stated it will apologise directly to the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union. Within hours of the video surfacing, Jones issued a statement through the RFU, saying: “I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused, no excuses, and I shouldn’t have said what I did. I’m very sorry.”
Nevertheless, the damage may have already been done with the comments, stripped of their private context or attempted humour, spreading across social media and heightening the sense of perceived English arrogance. Ireland, who have already won the title, needed little further motivation as they attempt to seal their third Grand Slam on St Patrick’s Day.
Less than three weeks ago, Jones received widespread sympathy after being physically and verbally abused by Scottish fans on a train from Edinburgh to Manchester the day after the 25-13 defeat at Murrayfield. He later blamed comments made by former fly-half Gavin Hastings and prop Simon Berghan for fanning the flames. “If you talk about hate and you talk about rubbing people’s nose in the dirt, and all those sorts of things, it incites certain behaviours,” Jones said.
Long known for his sharp tongue, Jones has previously apologised to Johnny Sexton, the Ireland fly half, for suggesting his parents should be concerned for his welfare after suffering a whiplash injury.
This was already shaping up to be the toughest week of Jones’ tenure. A first Calcutta Cup defeat in 10 years was followed by a dispiriting 22-16 defeat to France in Paris that spelt the end of England’s reign as champions.
Many of the same problems, particularly around the breakdown and discipline, that afflicted England at Murrayfield resurfaced at the Stade de France, with Jones admitting his team may have reached a “plateau”.
With Ireland coming to Twickenham on the back of a record 11 consecutive wins, England are now bidding to avoid suffering a third Championship defeat, which would be their worst tournament return since 2006 and could see them slip to fifth in the table.
In a further blow to his preparations, Jones has put his team announcement back with doubts still over the fitness of captain Dylan Hartley and wing Elliot Daly.
Paul Gustard, the defence coach, had indicated that both players were available for selection yesterday. However, later medical checks forced the RFU to delay the team announcement from 9.15am to 1pm to give Hartley and Daly every chance of being passed fit.
Jones has indicated that Hartley, the hooker who missed the France defeat with a calf strain, will come straight back into the team at the expense of Jamie George while Daly picked up a foot injury at the Stade de France.
Two other injury victims from that game, back-rowers Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes, are likely to be miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee ligament surgery.
Lawes, the Northampton loose forward, is expected to be out for 14 weeks and Hughes, the Wasps No8, 12 weeks, which is also likely to keep them out of England’s summer tour to South Africa.
‘We have played 23 Tests and only lost once to the scummy Irish. I’m still dirty about it’