EDDIE Jones has apologised to Bruce Craig for branding the Bath owner the "Donald Trump of rugby".

It is understood that England's head coach has written to Craig expressing his remorse after escalating a verbal feud that erupted last month over the number of injuries being sustained during international camps.

Jones made a series of comments about Craig a fortnight ago upon arriving in South Africa for a three-Test series that has been won by the Springboks with a game to spare following Saturday's 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein.

"Eddie has apologised to Bruce Craig for the personal remarks. It was a sincere apology," a Rugby Football Union spokeswoman told Press Association Sport.

Jones went on the offensive on June 3 just a couple of hours after arriving into England's training base near Durban in response to renewed criticism of his methods from the Bath chairman.

"Bruce Craig sounds like the Donald Trump of rugby. He has the same hairstyle," Jones said.

"Everything we do is about training to get better, it's not about satisfying some bloke who has got plenty of money in Bath and thinks he knows everything about rugby. Really, I wish I knew that much.

"If I knew that much I'd probably have as much money as him. Unfortunately I don't so I'll just stick to rugby.

"Bruce is absolutely obsessed by intensity - Bruce is the intensity king of the world. We train appropriately for Test match rugby.

"It seems like whatever Bruce says, goes. Who knows, maybe he'll be the CEO of the RFU soon."

Craig ignited hostilities after prop Beno Obano became the fifth Bath player to suffer a serious training ground injury on England duty since Jones' reign began in late 2015 by describing the attrition rate as "totally unacceptable".

A verbal exchange ensued which Jones has now sought to end by apologising.

England are preparing for Saturday's final Test in Cape Town with the aim of ending their six-match losing run.