Wednesday 31 May 2017 06:27, UK
Eddie Jones has played down his comments from earlier this week which suggested the British and Irish Lions will struggle to beat the All Blacks because of Warren Gatland's tactics.
Jones questioned Gatland's squad selection and predicted the Lions will adopt a direct approach "with not much ball movement" and he said that is not the way to beat the reigning world champions.
But Jones insisted the comments, made on the Daily Telegraph's Full Contact podcast, were in jest.
Jones told Sky Sports News HQ: "I was just having a bit of fun with Brian Moore. He is an old sparring partner of mine.
"I really don't have any more to add to that. I said it in jest. I wanted to make his podcast popular."
Jones is currently in Teddington preparing his England squad for their two-Test tour of Argentina.
The squad depart for Buenos Aires on Saturday and Jones expects to have Alex Lozowski and Sam Underhill despite both going off with shoulder injuries during England's 28-14 win over the Barbarians on Sunday, but Sale No 8 Josh Beaumont has been ruled out.
Jones explained: "Sam and Alex both came off with shoulder injuries but the initial reports are they are not serious. We expect them to resume training tomorrow, maybe in a modified way.
"Unfortunately Josh Beaumont had concussion which means we have to rule him out of the tour. "He has had it twice now in successive weeks so the medical advice is that he should have a good rest now, which is disappointing for him because he did well on the weekend."
Vesty joins coaching staff
Jones has announced that Sam Vesty will join England's backroom staff for the tour of Argentina.
Vesty, the Worcester backs coach, teams up with the squad as a replacement for Rory Teague, who stood down from his role with England to join Bordeaux-Begles earlier this month.
The 35-year-old played more than 200 matches for Leicester and Bath and was capped on two occasions by England, both against Argentina, back in 2009.
"I met with a couple of coaches who I felt had teams that attacked well given their resources," said Jones.
"He interviewed very well. He is a Leicester boy, and played a lot of club rugby, played for England - one Test wonder - and they usually make good coaches because they don't have a lot to worry about.
"I was impressed by how Worcester attack. He has got a nice feel for the game and I think he can add to us and help me with the attack."
