[imagesource: Tennis365]

Sometimes, it is prudent to stick to what you know best.

Eddie Jones knows his rugby.

Despite the fact that he’s an Ozzie, coached Japan to victory over South Africa in 2015, and currently coaches England, he’s also very popular with many former Springboks who benefited from his input en route to winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

One thing he shouldn’t get involved with, if the past week is anything to go by, is offering advice to 18-year-old British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu.

This story starts with Jones offering tips to English rugby’s golden boy, 22-year-old Marcus Smith, about avoiding off-field distractions.

Jones said the following, via The Telegraph:

“The big thing for good young players is distractions,” Jones said. “The distractions could be the exposure they get in the media, the praise they get, the criticism they get. There can be groups of agents who see this guy as the next big thing.

“There’s a reason why the young girl who won the US Open hasn’t done so well afterwards. What have you seen her on – the front page of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar or whatever, wearing Christian Dior clothes. All that is a distraction around her.”

Right.

Emma was named Tatler’s most eligible person in Britain, but that is hardly her fault.

Also, Eddie, don’t you have bigger fish to fry? A reminder of the 2021 Six Nations final table:

Jones’ comments were widely criticised, leading to him issuing an apology.

Actually, it was more of an explanation.

In truth, he didn’t do very well:

“The whole point was how difficult it is for young players to cope with distractions,” Jones, 61, told the BBC.

“So the point I made was not wrong. I can’t control 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’ll 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.”

Sorry you took offence, but also sorry not sorry.

We don’t know what Eddie said in his letter to Emma. Just don’t expect to see her at the rugby, because she’s cutting out these sorts of distractions.

The Guardian reports that “Raducanu is set to skip the Rugby Football Union’s open invitation to attend an England match this autumn.”

Either way, Siya and the boys will see you at Twickenham next weekend, Eddie.

[source:telegraph]