Gregor Townsend has condemned the verbal abuse handed out to Eddie Jones after England’s Calcutta Cup defeat. The Australian was jostled and taunted by a group of Scots as he arrived in Manchester by train the day after his side’s 25-13 defeat at Murrayfield. He had travelled alone to be a guest of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford for Manchester United’s Premier League match with Chelsea.
Video footage obtained by the BBC’s Dan Roan shows the England coach posing for selfies with the group, who then turned on him as he was ushered to a car. Jones said he had feared for his safety during the incident.
Townsend said: “Look, it was really disappointing to see that incident. Anybody that gets verbally abused like that, it’s terrible to see, especially when it happens to someone involved in our sport and a fellow coach. Hopefully that’ll never happen again.”
Eddie Jones reveals he was abused by fans on train after England defeat
The Scotland coach added: “No one deserves that. I thought the way England handled [the defeat], which would have been a big disappointment for their players, to how they spoke after the game, to the coach – showed they were good losers as well as being very good winners over the last couple of years.”
Scottish Rugby have already issued a strong condemnation after footage of the incident emerged. A statement read: “Scottish Rugby is appalled by the verbal abuse suffered by Eddie Jones.
“The disgusting behaviour of those involved does not represent the values of our sport or its fans. The dignity Eddie and the England team showed on Saturday is in stark contrast to this ugly incident.”
Jones has resolved not to use public transport again following the experience and is frustrated given his willingness to engage with the public. “I’m a human being. I don’t consider myself any different from anyone else, so for me to travel on public transport I thought was OK. But I’ll make sure I won’t in future. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
Blair Kinghorn will make his first start at the age of 21 against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. The in-form Edinburgh wing’s inclusion is the only change to the side who beat England as he replaces the injured Tommy Seymour.