England rugby head coach Eddie Jones has apologised 'unreservedly' after a video emerged of him referring to the "scummy Irish" during a leadership talk he gave last year.
The issue has arisen just three days out from Ireland's visit to Twickenham to take on England in their attempt to complete a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Jones was filmed at the event also making derogatory comments about Wales.
"So Wales, who knows Wales? Is there any Welsh people here?" Jones asked the attendees at the event hosted by Fuso, the Japanese parent company of England sponsors Mitsubishi. "So it's this little shit place that's got three million people. Three million people. Three million."
Later in the event he referred to Ireland's 13-9 win in Dublin last year which stopped England winning the Grand Slam.
"We've played 23 Tests. We've only one Test to the scummy Irish. I'm still dirty about that game. But we'll get that back, we'll get that back. Don't worry, we've got them next year at home, we'll get them back."
Jones has today said he is "very sorry for any offence caused" and added: "No excuses. I shouldn't have said what I did." While the English RFU says the remarks are 'inappropriate' and it will also be apologising to its Irish and Welsh counterparts.
The video in full containing Irish comment (17:45) and Wales comment (7:05):
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