Englandās World Cup build-up has taken a chaotic turn after it emerged that a fracas occurred between Ben Teāo and Mike Brown in Treviso, while preparations for Sundayās Test against Wales have been disrupted by a trio of injury withdrawals.
PA understands there was an altercation during a social event at the squadās heat and humidity training camp in north-east Italy last week.
As a result, Teāo and Brown were dropped from the squad for Sundayās visit of Wales to Twickenham in a match staged 24 hours before Jones finalises his 31-man World Cup squad.
Jones, however, declined to comment on the incident: āNo Iām not able to confirm that. Iām not able to confirm. I think Iāve answered the question.
āI do not have anything to say on it. I am really happy with the way the team is going, couldnāt be happier.ā
Jones at least indicated that Teāo remains under consideration for the World Cup, while Brown is only expected to be involved in the event of injury.
Meanwhile, plans for the opening warm-up Test against Warren Gatlandās Grand Slam champions have been disturbed by injuries to centre Henry Slade, flanker Sam Underhill and wing Ruaridh McConnochie.
A day after naming the starting XV, Jones was forced into a significant reshuffle, including to the back row where the experiment of deploying opensides Underhill and Tom Curry in tandem will have to be delayed.
Slade (knee), Underhill (toe) and McConnochie (hip) have been ruled out, so Jonathan Joseph, Joe Cokanasiga and Lewis Ludlum have been propelled into the starting XV in their places.
Curry moves from six to openside while Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi are promoted to the bench.
Jones was initially reluctant to disclose the changes to his team, even when prompted by Englandās press officer, telling him āerr, yeah, no, what do you want me to do? So you want me to remember all these?ā
Facing an experimental side picked by the 59-year-old head coach is Walesā strongest available XV, including 13 starters from the Grand Slam-clinching victory over Ireland in March
If England do lose, Jones will be keeping perspective on the result.
āMomentum does not apply in the warm-ups. It is zero. It starts when you get to the World Cup,ā Jones said.
āImagine having momentum now. The World Cup is six or seven weeks away. No team in the world keeps momentum for that period of time. When do you want momentum? When you get to the World Cup.
āWe are in a World Cup campaign so we want to be ready when we get on the plane by September 8.
āWe are a proud team and want to win every game but the fact is that what people are going to remember this year is the World Cup.ā
McConnochie was due to make his Test debut with the hope of impressing before the World Cup squad is named on Monday, but his prospects for Japan have now dimmed.
Willi Heinz will win his first cap, however, as Jones launches a late search for a deputy to Ben Youngs at scrum-half and the New Zealander who qualifies through his maternal grandmother has even been installed as vice-captain.
āWilli has been on a fascinating journey. He works hard at his craft and has a good head on him. Heās added to the team and deserves the opportunity,ā Jones said.
āHeās made one hell of an impact since coming into the squad. We brought him in a couple of years ago to have a look at him.
āHe went back to club rugby, improved his game immeasurably and now he is vice-captain for this game.ā