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Eddie Jone's railway station abusers have learned their fate
By Online Editors
The three men who verbally abused Eddie Jones outside a railway station in Manchester following England's loss to Scotland in the Six Nations have appeared in court today.
All three men pleaded guilty to public order charges at the court the BBC are reporting.
Richie Cleeton (22), Connor Inglis (25), and Brett Grant (23), all pleaded guilty to using threatening abusive words and behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
The three men - from Edinburgh - were fined for their behaviour on the 25th of February, which was described in court as "vile".
Video footage of the men abusing Mr Jones (58) went viral on the internet the day after Scotland beat England 25-13 in the Six Nations.
Reacting at the time, Jones said: “I try and do the right thing by the fans but if that happens then you’ve got to have a look at your own safety,” said Jones. “I never knock back a request for a selfie unless I’m racing to somewhere. I did a lot.
For me to travel on public transport, I thought was OK. I’m a human being. I don’t consider myself any different from anyone else. But I’ll make sure I won’t in future. It’s as simple as that. I can’t, because it was shown on Sunday what happens when I do.
“That’s the world we live in. It wasn’t comfortable. It was a bit of both [physical and verbal]. After a loss, no I wouldn’t [catch a train again]. It’s part of the challenge.
“When I came to England, I knew there were going to be challenges. As an Australian coaching England, there were always going to be challenges and that’s just one of them.”
Asked whether he was surprised by the incident, Jones added: “Massively, but that’s the world we live in.
“I don’t want to get into it, guys. I don’t want to make a big deal about it. It’s over and done with. We march on – we’ve got a game against France.”
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"Both the Smiths look significantly better players than Burke." Would agree there. He would have a lot. of ground to make up to get to their level. But then who knows what injury does.
Go to commentsI'm not very hopeful of a better change to the sport. Putting an Aussie in charge after they failed for two decades is just disgusting. What else will be brought in to weaken the game? What new rule changes will be made? How will the game be grown?
Nothing of value in this letter. There is no definitive drive towards something better. Just more of the same as usual. The most successful WC team is getting snubbed again and again for WC's hosting rights. What will make other competitions any different?
My beloved rugby is already a global sport. Why is there no SH team chosen between the Boks, AB's, Wallabies and Fiji? Like a B&I Lions team to tour Europe and America? A team that could face not only countries but also the B&I Lions? Wouldn't that make for a great spectacle that will also bring lots of eyeballs to the sport?
Instead with an Aussie in charge, rugby will become more like rugby league. Rugby will most likely become less global if we look at what have become of rugby in Australia. He can't save rugby in Australia, how will he improve the global footprint of rugby world wide?
I hope to be proven wrong and that he will raise up the sport to new heights, but I am very much in doubt. It's like hiring a gardener to a CEO position in a global company expecting great results. It just won't happen. Call me negative or call me whatever you'd like, Robinson is the wrong man for the job.
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