ED’S RACE COMMENT IS A SORRY OUTCOME..

ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones was forced to apologise for a race-related remark in the build-up to Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.

Jones, 60, claimed that a reporter must have confused him for “another half-asian person” and that “maybe we all look the same”.

The Australian, who is half Japanese, was approaching the end of a fractious press conference when he was asked a question about meditation – having discussed “mindfulness” on a podcast last summer.

In a reply as crass as it was bizarre, he said: “I don’t think I’ve ever spoken about meditation. You must be thinking about someone else… Maybe another half-asian person… Maybe we all look the same.”

There were audible gasps and as soon as the conference ended the reporter sought an apology – which Jones delivered in person.

His spokesperson said: “Eddie made an off-the-cuff comment during the press conference which was not intended to cause any offence.

“He has subsequently spoken to the journalist privately explaining this and apologised, which was accepted.” Meanwhile, Ben Youngs has revealed the secret of his longevity as he prepares to join international rugby’s exclusive 100 Club.

The Leicester star will join Jason Leonard, who for the best part of 20 years has been the lone English centurion, when Jones names his side today to face Ireland.

His selection brings the evergreen scrum-half a 98th cap to set alongside his two for Test appearances for the Lions.

And ahead of the squad announcement, Youngs (inset) lifted the lid on the key ingredient which has allowed him to stay on top of the game since his debut a decade ago.

“Being able to switch off from rugby, definitely,” said the 30-year-old.

“I’m pretty good at making sure that when I am on it, I’m on it. But when training stops for the day, I switch off.

“I can’t be going home and doing that because when you go home the kids don’t care.

“So it gives you that balance and what that allows me to do is clear my mind, relax and have a good time, then fully buy into the next day of training and just repeat that process.”