Wales of Grand Slam meddling in Marler row

England coach Eddie Jones said Wales's "surprise" at prop Joe Marler escaping disciplinary action was simply an attempt to undermine his side's bid for a Six Nations Grand Slam against France in Paris on Saturday.

"Everyone is keen for England not to win the Grand Slam, let's be real about it," Jones, who as an Australian well understands England's status as the team all other nations love to beat, told Sky Sports on Thursday.

"Wales will be happy if we don't win the Grand Slam and they'll do anything to upset us in our preparation.

"It's as simple as that," added Jones, who has won his first four games as England coach.

Harlequins loosehead prop Marler was finally cleared to face France late on Wednesday after Six Nations officials decided to take no action against him for striking Rob Evans and calling Samson Lee a "gypsy boy" during two separate incidents in England's 25-21 win over Wales at Twickenham last Saturday.

Shortly before Jones held a press conference on Thursday, the Welsh Rugby Union issued a statement saying they were "surprised" by the lack of action against Marler, adding "we stand by our belief that there is no place for the use of racist language in sport".

They also said they would take the matter further.

"Clearly this incident has raised broader issues for the game of rugby which require follow up and which we are undertaking directly with Six Nations," the WRU statement said.

However, prior to the announcement by officials that Marler would not face any disciplinary action, Wales coach Warren Gatland, in another WRU statement, apologised Wednesday for originally labelling the forward's comments to Lee as "banter", although Lee said he had no qualms over the New Zealander's original stance.

- 'Arthur or Martha' -

Jones, in a separate news conference with reporters at England's Bagshot training base on Thursday, highlighted the apparent inconsistency by saying: "If you look at the Wales statement from Wednesday, they don't know whether they're Arthur or Martha."

Asked by Sky if he honestly thought the WRU's latest comment was an attempt to disrupt England's bid for a first Grand Slam in 13 years, Jones said: "Of course it is.

"Why else would they do it? (put the statement out shortly before Jones's press conference). The whole thing has been dealt with.

"Once a decision has been made, you get on with it. You don't say the decision is wrong, you have to get on with it," the former Australia and Japan coach added.

"Wales have decided not to do that and there's only one reason for that."

The outspoken Jones has often come under fire for his comments and this Six Nations saw him criticised for saying Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton's parents would be "worried for his long-term health" after he was included in the side beaten by England following a "whiplash injury" suffered in a preceding loss to France.

However, a defiant Jones told Sky: "I've been criticised for values in rugby, but if you talk about values in rugby let's look at them (Wales) now."

But he was adamant Thursday's statement had nothing to do with Gatland.

"I don't think it's got anything to do with Warren," said Jones. "Warren has got in trouble for what he said, so let's leave it at that."

Marler has been dropped to the bench for the France match, with Mako Vunipola starting in his place.

But Jones, who had previously reprimanded Marler, said this was a tactical change, not a disciplinary measure.

"It's because it's the way we want to play on the weekend," he explained. "I'm not punishing him at all.

"I've said what I have to say on it. We have got a Grand Slam in front of us.

"A Grand Slam is much more interesting than something that happened seven days ago that's been well and duly discussed."
Source: AFP