Serious backlash over Eddie Jones' 'disparaging' Lions comments

The Six Nations may be over, but that does not mean that Eddie Jones has slunk out of the limelight.

The outspoken England head coach has once again riled up his closest rivals by ruling himself out of contention for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
He was quite dismissive of the role, describing it as an “ambassador job”, in what can be seen as another dig at his rival Warren Gatland.

However, just as they had throughout the Six Nations, many fans from the home nations have not taken kindly to Jones’ comments. Many fans have said that they would not want him as coach of the Lions, as he is has increasingly become an unpopular figure amongst Welsh, Scottish and Irish fans. Moreover, many fans feel that he would not have been considered for the job, and has effectively ruled himself out rather than being rejected.

https://twitter.com/arwyn_evans/status/1110489371243958272

This is like a wee 59-year old guy ruling himself out of a night of passion with Beyoncé https://t.co/7bq0z2ia9E

— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) March 26, 2019

He would never have been in the running anyway.

— Lee AW ???????? ?????? (@LWaunfawr) March 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/tomjamesCardiff/status/1110444453200830464

I’d as much chance of coaching the Lions in 2021 as Eddie but like him I’ve decided to rule myself out of taking charge. ?

— Mark Smith (@jaggo2210) March 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/WilhelmVonJones/status/1110467982512279552

How very sad that he's ruled himself out (knowing it’d never be offered to him anyway) The guy is a disrespectful clown, typical Aussie sporting mentality basically.

— Jason Maksimovic (@JasonMaxi) March 26, 2019

He wouldn't get the job anyway! ?

— Nathan Barrett (@nathanbarrett76) March 26, 2019

That means he knows he wouldn’t get the job ??

— Kevin Belcher (@Kev10Belcher) March 26, 2019

Not sure the Lions would want Eddie Jones "to spend eight weeks in a blazer." Surprised he hasn't had another pop at Wales. while he was at it.

— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) March 26, 2019

Some fans have also highlighted the fact that he is not good enough to coach the Lions anyway, which is understandable. Had Jones made these comments in 2016 or 2017, where he had coached England to back to back Six Nations titles and a record 18-match winning streak, he would have been in a better position.

Now that England have faltered over the past year, Jones’ chances of coaching the Lions have significantly decreased, with many fans favouring Gatland over the Australian. Should Gatland choose to coach the Lions again, he would undoubtedly be the favourite, having won in Australia in 2013, and managed a historic draw against New Zealand in 2017.

Gatland better anyway

— Coach K. (@Kuntchi13) March 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/davidallan999/status/1110442109696385024

https://twitter.com/D_E_80/status/1110447019364098048

https://twitter.com/L17Mac/status/1110448607541542912

Ultimately, the thing that has riled a lot of fans up, and may well be the crux of the issue, is that this is disrespectful towards the Lions. Whether Jones would be in contention or not is irrelevant compared to the way that he has besmirched one of rugby’s most unique and proudest traditions.

Jones has a history of controversial comments, and this will certainly not be the last time he finds himself in hot water, but he may have overstepped the mark this time with some fans.

Carwyn James, Syd Millar, Sir Ian Mcheeghan, Warren Gatland et al… were some ambassadors then.

— Phil Steele (@philsteele1) March 26, 2019

The guy has no respect for what the lions are all about.

No wonder nobody likes him. ?

— ??? ?????? (@LeeJarvis10) March 26, 2019

Ambassador and Eddie don't exactly sound right together anyway. He is an absolute disgrace and hope @EnglandRugby also release a statement distancing themselves from his comments

— Dr Dai Samuel (@docdai) March 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1110490262780997632