Eddie Jones: England boss sorry for offensive comments about Wales and Ireland - BBC Sport
England head coach Eddie Jones "apologises unreservedly" for offensive comments he made about Wales and Ireland.
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union

This article contains language which some people may find offensive.

England head coach Eddie Jones has "apologised unreservedly" for offensive comments he made about Wales and Ireland.

At a sponsors' talk in July 2017, the Australian described Wales as a "shit little place" and spoke about how disappointed he was by a recent defeat by the "scummy Irish".

Jones, 58, said he was "very sorry for any offence caused" and added: "No excuses. I shouldn't have said what I did."

A spokesperson for English rugby union's governing body said the remarks were "inappropriate" and the RFU would apologise to its counterparts in Ireland and Wales.

England's next match is against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Referring to their 13-9 defeat by the same opponents in the 2017 Six Nations, Jones said: "We've played 23 Tests, we've only lost one Test to the scummy Irish.

"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."

The video of Jones' talk was uploaded to YouTube by Japanese company Fuso in July last year, but has only now gained wider public attention.

Jones, who became Japan head coach in 2012, discussed Japan Under-20s losing to their Welsh counterparts 125-0 shortly after he took over, and was comparing the population size of the respective nations to their rugby pedigree.

"Who knows Wales? Are there any Welsh people here? So it's this little shit place that has got three million people. Three million!" he said.

Ireland won this year's Six Nations with a game to spare and will complete a Grand Slam if they beat England on Saturday, which is St Patrick's Day.

England, winners of the two previous tournaments, could finish as low as fifth with defeat.