Eddie Jones believes the incident involving Dylan Hartley would have only been a penalty 12 months ago after the Northampton captain was red-carded for an open-arm high tackle on Sean O'Brien.
The England head coach was being interviewed by World Cup winner Clive Woodward for the Daily Mail.
Speaking about the incident Jones said: "I honestly think if he made that tackle 12 months ago it would have been a penalty, but my point was that you have got to be able to adjust to the new rules.
"Make a loose tackle now, you are going to get a yellow card and maybe red. Make a bad call under the high ball and you are going to get a six to eight-week ban. You must adapt to the new game and very quickly," he added.
Referee Jérôme Garcès red card Dylan Hartley of Northampton Saints. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
O'Brien was taken from the field and was unable to return after Hartley hit him high. The Engalnd captain was banned for six weeks.
