Coach knocks TMO talks on the Ed

EDDIE JONES has vowed never to attend another referees’ summit after England’s controversial defeat to New Zealand.

The Red Rose coach yesterday hit out over the Television Match Official’s role in referee Jerome Garces’ decision to disallow the late try from Sam Underhill which would have won the game at Twickenham on Saturday.

Jones attended a World Rugby referees’ meeting with other coaches in London last Wednesday at which this autumn’s trial to reduce the TMO’s influence was discussed.

But Courtney Lawes was still collared for offside in the build-up to Underhill’s effort in a borderline decision by TMO Marius Jonker.

Jones said: “I don’t think I’ll go to another referees’ meeting in my life. It’s a waste of time.

Policies

“The referees have a tough job with tough decisions to make but all we want in rugby is consistency in decision-making.

“If we have policies, then we have to follow them. If we don’t follow them, then what is the point in being involved?

“I don’t have any sour grapes. You win some, you lose some and get on with it. But there is something wrong somewhere.”

George Kruis has been ruled out for four to eight weeks with the calf injury he sustained against the All Blacks but England expect co-captain Dylan Hartley to be fit to face Japan on Saturday after going off with a thumb injury last weekend.

Hartley and Jamie George were the only two hookers named in England’s 30-man training squad, while Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga is within touching distance of a Test debut after being added yesterday.

Japan captain Michael

Leitch has warned Jones will only have himself to blame if the Brave

Blossoms deliver a shock win at Twickenham.

Jones was in charge of

Japan from 2009 to 2015 and

Leitch said: “The great thing

Eddie did in Japanese rugby was he changed the mindset.

The team always accepted losing and he set us on the right track.”