Eddie Jones draws line in sand over Rassie ruckus: 'We need to respect the referees'

In London

England coach Eddie Jones refused to comment on SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus's suspension on Thursday, saying that referees need to be respected.

Jones was speaking at the England team announcement press conference for Saturday's South Africa Test at Twickenham where he made four changes to the side that drew 25-25 against New Zealand last week.

Jones initially joked about whether Erasmus, who has been banned for two games for his tweets that highlighted officiating inconsistencies in the losses against Ireland and France in early November, would find a way into the stadium on Saturday. 

"He may come in a laundry box, mate, but I'm sure he'll get in somewhere," Jones initially joked, before turning serious, with the Australian saying the importance and sanctity of match officials can't be infringed upon.

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"I'm not going down that track. The only thing I'd say is that we need to respect the referees. We need to look after referees as they're an important part of our game," he added with a sterner tone. 

"What's happened has happened."

Saturday's Test will also be Manu Tuilagi's 50th, with the powerful centre having made his debut back in 2011.

England

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Alex Coles, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola

Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jack Nowell

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13