Six Nations: Eddie Jones believes Wales are trying to sabotage England Grand Slam bid

England take on France this weekend but the build-up has been dominated by row over Joe Marler’s “gypsy boy” jibe

England head coach Eddie Jones (Getty)

Eddie Jones has not been wrong about much since taking over as England head coach in the wake of last year’s World Cup humiliation, but the row over Joe Marler’s “gypsy boy” jibe during the red-rose meeting with Wales at Twickenham last Saturday may not be as done and dusted as he thinks.

The Welsh remain bitterly disappointed by the lack of disciplinary action against the Harlequins loose-head prop – World Rugby last night indicated displeasure by asking for more information about the decision – and Jones’ most loaded comment on the subject yesterday threatened to open up a new front in the conflict. “The findings have been made and we’ll run with those findings,” he said. “If you look at the statements from Wales, they don’t know whether they’re Arthur or Martha.”

Jones was referring to the initial reaction of his rival coach Warren Gatland, who dismissed Marler’s comment to the Wales front-rower Samson Lee as “a bit of banter”, and the subsequent missives from the Welsh Rugby Union, which took a very different tone.

In the first of those official statements, Gatland condemned racism out of hand and apologised for any offence his earlier remark may have caused. In the second, released after Marler was cleared to play in tomorrow’s Grand Slam match with France in Paris, the governing body said it was “surprised” by the decision of the Six Nations hierarchy and added: “We stand by our belief that there is no place for the use of racist language in sport.”

In Jones’s view, the Welsh were firmly in ulterior motive territory with their response. “Let’s be real about it: Wales will be happy if we don’t win the Grand Slam and they’ll do anything to upset us in our preparation – it’s as simple as that,” he said. “Once a decision has been made, you get on with it. Wales have decided not to do that and there’s only one reason. I’ve been criticised over values in rugby but if you want to talk about values, let’s look at Wales now.”

Marler will be on the bench this weekend, having started three of England’s four games in the run-up to the big finale. Jones insisted his decision to give the starting berth to the Saracens prop Mako Vunipola had nothing to do with recent events, but if the roles are reversed for the non-championship game against Wales at Twickenham in May, there could be real fun and games.