Joe Marler racism row: RFU chief dismisses England prop’s gypsy jibe as ‘inappropriate’

Ian Ritchie chief opens up on Jones, Hartley, Lancaster and bad-boy Marler

England celebrate winning the Grand Slam in Paris last weekend (Reuters)

Ian Ritchie must feel good about life – or, at least, a whole lot better than he felt when England nosedived out of their own World Cup and he found himself pointing the entire red-rose coaching staff towards the exit door, little more than a year after signing them up on long-term contract extensions. It was Ritchie who brought in Eddie Jones, whose quick-fix skills have resulted in a first Grand Slam since 2003.

But the Rugby Football Union chief executive found himself in “events, dear boy, events” territory as the Joe Marler affair limped along like an elderly prop with a gammy leg and the name of Lancaster cropped up once again. A Six Nations title may be well worth celebrating, but the course of professional sport never runs smoothly.

Asked whether he thought Marler’s “gypsy boy” comment to the Wales front-rower Samson Lee had been racist, Ritchie replied: “I think ‘inappropriate’ is the right word. I think it’s important as to how the recipient, if I can put it that way, receives it. We’ve made it extremely clear: this is not the sort of comment you want to hear. Joe understands that, it’s very forcibly been made to him.

“Players in all the England teams are reminded of their responsibilities. They were very clear under Stuart Lancaster and they’re very clear under Eddie Jones. Hard work, commitment, appropriate behaviour – those standards are all as strong under Eddie as they were under Stuart. If there is inappropriate behaviour within the squad, I’m absolutely sure Eddie will be down on it like a ton of bricks.”

On the subject of Lancaster, currently eyeing possible opportunities in the southern hemisphere, Ritchie hinted that there would be no immediate route back into full-time employment at Twickenham despite the sudden resignation of Joe Lydon as head of international player development – a role that might have been created with the former England coach specifically in mind.

“We came to the view at the time [after the World Cup humiliation] that it was best to make a clean break and that’s what happened,” the CEO said. “Nobody is ever going to ignore Stuart in terms of what he has achieved: there were many positive things, many good things. Eddie paid tribute to that and was right to do so. But the thing is to look at the structure going forward. The situation with Joe happened only last week. I don’t think we’re in a bad place.”

Ritchie’s move for Jones last November, only days after the Australian had taken up a high-profile role with the Stormers in South Africa, could hardly look more inspired. It will appear very different if England fail to win another game between now and the end of the year, but the CEO was justified in feeling pleased with the current state of play.

“I think ‘a decent start’ would be a fair enough way of describing it,” he said. “We wanted a highly experienced coach with an international background and Eddie has brought clarity in terms of communication with the players. I don’t think I necessarily thought in the first instance about coming out with a Grand Slam – I was hoping for it but you never take it for granted because you know how hard it is to achieve. Eddie has done a great job, though. Yeah, it was a productive day-trip to Cape Town!”

Was he entirely happy about Jones’s choice as captain: the combustible Dylan Hartley, a man well known to the authorities for all manner of negative reasons? “We did have that conversation, because of the perspective and the circumstances,” Ritchie replied. “On the other hand, Dylan has undoubted leadership qualities. The way he’s dealt with all those things that have been uncomfortable for him and the fact that he’s rather a good hooker, you take it all into account. I’m glad for him – he’s done a fantastic job. Eddie’s call has been vindicated.”

Ritchie confirmed that the second-string England Saxons will play two matches in South Africa this summer, one of them against an Emerging Springboks. The Exeter head coach Rob Baxter is current favourite to head up the tour.