'It was taken out of context': Jones clarifies Raducanu comment

England boss Eddie Jones has written to British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu to explain his comments that she has been overburdened by commercial distractions in the wake of her US Open victory. 

England’s head coach made the remarks to illustrate his belief that Marcus Smith must remain grounded after the 22-year-old Harlequins magician stepped off the bench to orchestrate a late flurry of tries in a 69-3 victory over Tonga.

Jones suggested that Raducanu has struggled for form since triumphing at Flushing Meadows in September because of her off-court activity. “There is a reason why the young girl who won the US Open hasn’t done so well afterwards,” Jones said.

Finn Russell on fighting water boys, facing the Springboks and expensive watches

Finn Russell on fighting water boys, facing the Springboks and expensive watches

“What have you seen her on – the front page of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar or whatever it is, wearing Christian Dior clothes. All that is a distraction around her.”

Jones’ language was deemed sexist by some, including former British No1 Jo Durie, and while he rejects that allegation, he has contacted the 18-year-old to clarify what he meant.

TRANSFER NEWS: The out-of-favour England No10 has been contacted by the Sharks about a possible move away from Leicester #Sharks #GallagherPrem #Tigers #England
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 11, 2021

“The whole point was how difficult it is for young players to cope with distractions,” England boss Jones told BBC Sport on Thursday. “So the point I made was not wrong. I can’t control it if it’s taken out of context. There was no criticism of Emma.

“I have sent her a letter just to reinforce that and hopefully we will see her at Twickenham shortly. I don’t have any misgivings about what I said – I am disappointed it was taken out of context, and I would be disappointed if Emma was upset by it. It was deemed as being sexist and that was never the aim of the point.”

Eddie Jones has explained why Manu Tuilagi has surprisingly been picked to start on the England wing for the first time since 2014#England #ENGvAUS #AutumnNationsSeries #Wallabies
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 11, 2021