Eddie Jones forced to apologise to journalist for race-related comment

Thursday, 20 February 2020 at 17:36

bySteven Smith

England boss Eddie Jones apologised following a bizarre exchange with a journalist in which he suggested he was being mistaken for “another half-Asian” person.

He was asked: “you personally have talked before about your meditation. Are you still doing that and how has it helped you?”

Neil Barker

@Mockneyrebel

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“You must be thinking about someone else, maybe another half-Asian person, maybe we all look the same!” Eddie Jones has apologised today after this controversial response to a question about him meditating. He spoke before the RWC about 5am breathing exercises and mindfulness.

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3:24 PM · Feb 20, 2020

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Jones responded: “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.”

The RFU sought to play down the incident, with a spokesperson saying: “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”.

England face Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday needing victory to remain in title contention.

Top 5 On-Field Fights of the Six Nations Era

Is there anyone who doesn't like a bit of good old-fashioned, '70s-style on-field brawling?

Hell, even the players involved seem to enjoy it. They certainly didn't hesitate to get stuck in.

So here's a roundup of the best on-pitch fights of the Six Nations era. Enjoy.

1. France v Italy, 2014

Referee shows two players, Italy's Michele Rizzo & France's Rabah Slimani, red cards for foul play as France takes on Italy in the 2nd round clash of the RBS 6 Nations Championship from the Stade de France.

2. Wales v Ireland, 2005

Paul O'Connell unleashes the beast within & unloads the ground and pound on Wales' Robert Sidoli. The nearest thing you will see to UFC on a rugby pitch.

3. Scotland v England, 2018

Scotland recorded a famous 25-13 win over England when the match eventually got underway but the rivalry had boiled over even before kick-off.

As both sides exited the pitch from their warm-up session, players from both sides got involved in a scuffle at the entrance to the tunnel, with the BBC reporting that both Owen Farrell and Scotland captain John Barclay had been involved before the teams were separated.

4. Ireland v England, 2013

Tempers flare during the 1st half of the Ireland v England rugby clash, which took place at The Aviva Stadium on Sunday, February 10th 2013 in the RBS 6 Nations Championship. England won the clash 12-6.

5. England vs Wales, 2018

Referee Jerome Garces had initially stopped the game for a penalty against England because Dylan Hartley had been caught offside. But fly-half Owen Farrell appeared unhappy with something Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies had said and the two clashed on the ground, triggering a fight that included almost every player on the field.

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