Ridiculous.

Outspoken Welsh journalist Stephen Jones is no stranger to controversial comments. But his match report from the England and Ireland game is a bit rich even for him.

Ireland were beaten and beaten well yesterday. A number of players did not live up to their usual high expectations and rightfully most of them received poor player ratings following the 30-22 defeat at the Aviva Stadium.

Keith Earls had a night to forget, being at fault for the first try before being forced off early with a hip problem following a high tackle from England flanker Tom Curry and a late challenge by lock Maro Itoje.

The Limerick man was given a 5/10 rating by Jones, probably fairly. But it’s his remarks on the rating that have rightfully pissed off a lot of people.

“Dragged off at half-time, at fault for the first England try and a stopgap at this level.” Jones wrote

A stopgap at this level? Gimme a break. Earls didn’t have a great game, and was clearly shaken early on after those hits, carrying the injury for as long as he could. But to call one of Ireland’s best players over the last couple of years a “stopgap” at this level is nothing short of clueless and ignorant. Earls has proved his worth at the very highest level time and time again.

Pull the other one Stephen. You absolute tool.