RFU apologise to Ben O’Keeffe for Eddie Jones comments

Colin Newboult

England head coach Eddie Jones speaks to his team from the touchline during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London.

The Rugby Football Union has apologised to referee Ben O’Keeffe and reminded England head coach Eddie Jones of the sport and the RFU’s values after he criticised the integrity of the match officials following the Six Nations victory over Wales.

After the 33-30 win at Twickenham on Saturday, Jones said: “At the end we were 13 against 16 and that’s hard.”

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has now warned the England head coach that similar views in the future will not be tolerated.

He said: “The RFU does not condone comments that undermine the integrity of match officials, who are central to the sport and its values.

“We have discussed with England head coach Eddie Jones the nature of the comments he made to the media in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic finish to the England versus Wales Guinness Six Nations match on Saturday, and have made it clear that such comments are not in line with the values of the sport or the RFU.”

Sweeney added Jones and the RFU have proposed a discussion forum with World Rugby.

“Eddie and the RFU regret any implication that Ben O’Keeffe was biased in his decision-making,” Sweeney said.

“We have outlined this position to the tournament organisers the Six Nations and World Rugby, who will pass on our apologies to Ben O’Keeffe and the match officials team.

“In the meantime, Eddie Jones and the RFU have proposed a high level discussion forum with World Rugby to help achieve greater general alignment between coaches and match officials.

“All parties are satisfied the matter has been dealt with appropriately, are confident that further action would be taken should such a situation occur in the future, and consider the matter to be closed.”