How the Eddie Jones Video Is Dividing Opinion
Yesterday afternoon, popular Irish podcast Second Captain tweeted out a clip from last year of England head coach telling an audience that his team had lost to the “scummy Irish” in the 2017 Six Nations. With England hosting Grand Slam-chasing Ireland at Twickenham this weekend, it has certainly got people talking.
"We've only lost one test to the scummy Irish…we'll get em back" – Eddie Jones, 2017. Our scummy hands are just going to leave this here?.
More on this in today's ????????? special. Plus Ken on Jose. Go get it ? https://t.co/TXILnN6ZbI pic.twitter.com/VGiNjIEcPv
— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) March 14, 2018
In an extended video from the talk for FUSO, a truck manufacturer part-owned by Mitsubishi, posted on YouTube – but that has since been taken down – Jones also says: “Who knows Wales? Are there any Welsh people here? So it’s this little shit place that has got 3m people. Three million!”
Quickly after the videos went public, the RFU released a remorseful statement from Jones in which he said: “I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused – no excuses and I shouldn’t have said what I did. I’m very sorry.”
In the aftermath, Jones’s words has divided opinion. Some feel that the coach was attempting to inject some humour into his talk, albeit in a ham-fisted way, while other feel that the England head coach has over-stepped the mark.
Jones has already been in bother during these Six Nations when it emerged that the England head coach had been harassed by Scottish fans on a train ride to Manchester, following England’s Calcutta Cup loss to the Scots. In the wake of that incident, the Australian said: “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. Are they the sorts of behaviours that we want to see?”
Related: Eddie Jones verbally abused
For some Jones has shown hypocrisy with these comments, considering what was said in these clips. Some feel we should move on swiftly, especially after the coach apologised, and others are disgusted. Some are simply stunned.
Check out the comments below, from Twitter. Do you agree with any of these?
Eddie Jones calling wales a sh*t little place.. I get the fact he’s been stitched up but this is a Sh*t little place that has produced the greatest Rugby players that have ever lived.. Gareth Edwards,Phil Bennett, Jpr Williams, Barry John. Cmon Eddie Mush ??word !
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) March 14, 2018
This happens up and down all the countries in the 6 Nations – it's called humour. Never serious, just gentle digs. https://t.co/cVTd0QNe0Q I know he is in a public position, but surely we all see this for what it is?? SURELY !!!!
— Will Carling (@willcarling) March 14, 2018
So a bunch of drunk lads call Eddie Jones a “bald b******” and an “English c***” and the whole world’s up in arms. Eddie Jones calls Wales a “sh**y little place” and refers to “scummy Irish” and it’s normal banter?
— Cammy Black (@CammyBlack) March 14, 2018
Agree with Will and I say that a woman with Wales running very strongly through her. Eddie Jones is a bright erudite man – he was playing for laughs. We all do it. https://t.co/7eq8NWu2qA
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) March 14, 2018
According to Twitter, I should either be gravely offended by the Eddie Jones comments, or should cop onto myself and stop acting the snowflake.
Maybe it's possible to find what he said pretty distasteful for a man of his position, withiut getting too het up.
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) March 15, 2018
Related: Eddie Jones could be on a Wallabies shortlist
Oh dear Eddie Jones, what have you said….
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 14, 2018
History lesson for uncle Eddie. Wales has also produced major golf winners, Ryder Cup captains, Test cricketers, Grand National-winning jockeys, world boxing champions, Rugby League giants, world-beating footballers for Man Utd, Juventus, Real Madrid. We rest our case.
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) March 15, 2018
Eddie Jones and scummy Ireland. A subject now dominating on @bbc5live. Clearly many offended while many see it as a poor joke with no offense intended. That is more where I amhttps://t.co/RcLvuGaj5H
— owenslotTheTimes (@owenslot) March 15, 2018
This Eddie Jones stuff is just nonsense are we just so bloody sensitive now that no one can have a joke or a little banter without the outraged climbing on their high and mighty horse #relax
— john kenny (@JohnKennyMedia) March 15, 2018
I take it Eddie Jones won't be catching the train after Wales-England next year.
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) March 15, 2018
Let us know your views on Twitter and Facebook, and if this really fires you up, why not send us your thoughts, to rugbyworldletter@timeinc.com. You could feature on the letters page of the next issue of Rugby World magazine.