Eddie Jones and England accused of moaning after World Rugby law amendment

England boss Eddie Jones has been accused of complaining to get his way after a law amendment was made this week by World Rugby. 

Jones was critical of referee Pascal Gauzere for allowing play to restart for Wales on Saturday, despite England scrum-half Willi Heinz still making his way off the Principality Stadium pitch for a head injury assessment. 

With Anthony Watson already in the sin bin, and Ben Youngs not yet on, England were temporarily playing with 13 players in the build-up to Wales’ only try in a game the hosts went on to win 13-6.

World Rugby have since acted, making a law amendment which stipulates that “a match cannot restart until a player leaving the field of play for a blood injury or head injury assessment (HIA) has been temporarily replaced”.

Jones has received some flak on social media for whinging in order to get his way, with many also accusing World Rugby of bowing down to England. 

It'll be of little consolation for @EnglandRugby fans, but @WorldRugby have moved quickly to ensure the silliness doesn't occur in the World Cup.https://t.co/OLY7UaKL4X #WALvENG

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 22, 2019

However, far more people have said that this was the right decision, and moreover, they were surprised that a law was not already in place regarding this. 

Saturday’s try by George North was not the first instance that something like that has happened and it is therefore surprising that England have received criticism regarding their complaints, as ultimately many feel the right decision has been made. 

“It is what it is. As long as it’s ironed out and doesn’t happen in the future” #rwc2019 🥀 https://t.co/mdmzdTskdC

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 18, 2019

However, the speed in which World Rugby has acted perhaps suggests England have slightly more clout when it comes to making changes to the laws of the game. 

Then again, Jones has not shied away from voicing his opinion over the past few years and putting his neck on the line. While he may have been accused of moaning, it has now facilitated a beneficial law change. This is what has been said about England and Jones: 

England been moaning?

— Andrew hatch (@Hatch3231) August 21, 2019

Amazing how fast WR move when it's England that have the problem.

— Riccardo Ball (@rikdog72) August 21, 2019

England get their way again 😂

— Dan Peate (@Dan_Peate) August 21, 2019

English what more do I have 2 say. Never happy

— Sam Frost (@SamFrost2017) August 21, 2019

Eddie Jones' hissy fit strikes again

— David Conway (@MrMonteytheCat) August 21, 2019

Confirmation, if it were needed, that Pascal Gauzere was spot on with the so called quickly taken penalty by Dan Biggar against England. And confirmation that the English media have whinged loud enough. https://t.co/MRqMWPzOxK

— Peter George (@peteclase) August 21, 2019

Eddie really is very effective at lobbying law changes at World Rugby…. https://t.co/sUb7Yd0QkZ

— Ian Price (@goatteeboy) August 21, 2019

Why is it that it happens to everyone else and nothing changes. It happens to England and the law gets changed so that they can't be fooled again. Why bother holding a World Cup, let's just give the thing to England and tell them they can keep it. https://t.co/01u1RPtIFY

— TheGhostsOfMerthyr (@ghostsofmerthyr) August 21, 2019

What makes this decision particularly interesting is that the incident on Saturday led to Wales scoring a try that was decisive in winning the game and the victory ultimately enabled them to become No1 in the world rankings. 

Of course, this was in the first half, so it is foolish to say the game would have ended 6-6 without the try being allowed as there was a lot of play. 

However, some All Blacks fans are not too happy on social media as something that is now outlawed led to them losing their spot at the top of the rankings. 

WATCH: England’s Eddie Jones claims that “maybe the yellow card should have gone to the referee”