Jones sorry for derogatory comments about Ireland, Wales

By AP 16 March 2018, 12:00AM

England rugby coach Eddie Jones apologized again on Thursday for making derogatory remarks about Ireland and Wales that have added spice to the final weekend of the Six Nations.

At a business lecture on leadership in Japan last year, Jones referred to the Irish as "scummy" and Wales as a "little (expletive) place". The footage was widely spread only this week, days before England takes on an Ireland side looking to win the Grand Slam.

"I apologize for the remarks. I sincerely mean that," Jones said at a news conference at England's training base.

Asked what effect his remarks would have on Saturday's game at Twickenham, Jones added: "Ireland are going for a Grand Slam. I don't think they need any more motivation."

The English Rugby Football Union said it would also apologize to the Irish and Welsh unions for comments that may yet count against Jones if he ever wants to coach the British and Irish Lions.

Jones was giving a talk for Fuso, the Japanese parent company of England sponsor Mitsubishi. Footage was uploaded by Fuso to YouTube last July but wasn't picked up by media outlets until this week.

Asked if he would think again about giving similar talks in future, Jones said: "Possibly, yes. It's something I'll reconsider after the game. The only thing I am worried about at the moment is the game."

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt played down Jones' remarks, saying they were "not directly relevant to us."

"Those words don't impact on how we play or how his team plays," Schmidt said Thursday, "and that's our focus."

In the lecture, Jones told an audience: "We've played 23 tests and have only lost one test to the scummy Irish. I'm still dirty about that game. But we will get that back.

"We will get that back, don't worry. We have them next year at home, we will get them back."

Earlier, Jones talked about Japan's Under-20s losing to their Welsh counterparts 125-0 shortly after he took over as the head coach of Japan's senior team in 2012.

"Wales. Who knows Wales?" he asked. "Are there any Welsh people here? So it's this little (expletive) place that has got 3 million people. 3 million!"

Ireland has already won the Six Nations following its victory over Scotland last week and England's loss to France on the same day.

England won the last two Six Nations.

By AP 16 March 2018, 12:00AM
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