Emma Raducanu: England head coach Eddie Jones says "distraction" comments were not a criticism

England head coach Eddie Jones says his comments about player "distractions" were not a criticism of US Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu.

Jones referred to Raducanu, 18, when speaking on Sunday about the "flood of distractions" fly-half Marcus Smith could face after starring for England.

He also suggested the Briton had underperformed since her Grand Slam win, but his comments were criticised for being "uninformed and sexist".

Jones has since written to Raducanu.

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

"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."

Speaking on Sunday, Jones said there was "a reason" Raducanu "hasn't done so well" since winning the US Open in September - although at the time of his comments, she had only played at two further events.

"What have you seen her on? The front page of Vogue, the front page of Harper's Bazaar, whatever it is, wearing Christian Dior clothes," he said.

Smith, 22, is seen as England's next breakout star and came off the bench to score a try against Tonga on Saturday, inspiring a late Twickenham onslaught.

He will play at fly-half for England against Australia on Saturday as he makes his third Test start.

"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," Jones said on Thursday.

"It was deemed as being sexist and that was never the aim of the point."

Jones says young players need to keep their sport as an absolute priority if their talent is to be fully realised.

"It is difficult for those young players, really difficult, and we have to be aware of that," he added.

Jones held up 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson as being an example of dealing with off-pitch distractions

"I am certainly aware of that with the group of young players coming through.

"Sure we want them to enjoy what they can get, that is very important, but at the same time they have to be able to focus 100% on their sport.

"[Former England World Cup winner] Jonny Wilkinson is a great example, he didn't let any of that get in the way of him being the best player that he could be."

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