Eddie Jones was forced to apologise after making a bizarre remark about racism that has invited renewed scrutiny of his England regime.

Jones was asked at a press conference on Thursday afternoon about his meditation practises having revealed in June last year that he engages in mindfulness as part of his early morning routine.

In a clumsy response that was intended as a joke and was delivered with a smile, Jones said: "I don't think I've ever spoken about meditation.

His use of the word "brutal" caused upset in France due to its connotations with violence when translated and it hardly helped England's cause as they left Paris with a comprehensive 24-17 defeat.

A week later he described Scotland as a "niggly" team due to the tactics they employed to unsettle the English at Murrayfield.

Former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll this week described Jones as a "scaremonger" who over-steps the mark, although he added that he is always fascinated by his rhetoric.

England face Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday needing victory to remain in title contention.