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A 22-word RFU statement has ended Felix Jones' time with England
By Liam Heagney
Felix Jones is officially no longer an RFU employee after he was finally allowed to formally quit on Friday as Steve Borthwickās England team defence coach. It was last August when it emerged that the Irishman, a double Rugby World Cup winner assisting South Africa, wanted to leave just eight matches into his new job.
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Jones came on board Borthwickās staff at the start of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations but just weeks after the three-match summer tour to Japan and New Zealand had ended, it was revealed that he wanted out after just eight months.
The RFU didnāt acceded to Jonesā request at the time, deciding instead to make him work out his notice period remotely away from Borthwickās squad.
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With Joe El-Abd appointed defence coach, Jones was tasked with providing analysis on Englandās opposition but there was confusion last month during the Autumn Nations Series as to whether he was still working as attack coach Richard Wigglesworth admitted in the week of the South Africa match that he had no contact with Jones.
A Friday statement finally confirming Jonesā exit read: āThe RFU can confirm that England Rugby menās assistant coach Felix Jones will step down from his role today (Friday 13 December).ā
The decision last August by Jones to quit created shockwaves as he had no alternative job lined up. He has since been linked with the head coach vacancy in Munster following the late October departure of Graham Rowntree.
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Do we know why he quit or are we still repeating rumours weāve heard. Cos the last one I read was that Jones called Borthwickās wife a āmoose in a dressā during some function and Borrhwick had to be escorted out.
Apparently thereās video.
Haha that's a good one! Don't you think it would have played out the other way if that was the case thoughš
Time to come back to Ireland Felix. IRFY offer him defense coach while Easterby is temporary head coach. Accuracy has gone out the window since Sexton's departure. Standards must be driven back up on the training ground.
These English are crazy !
Felix has standards. Fair play to him.
Being essentially put on gardening leave is pretty poor from the RFU.
"Fat pommes can't play a rush defense and win so Felix says goodbye. Don't let the door hit you on the way out." 22 words
Their rush defense was doing fine.
Good for you Felix!
Finally, youre out of that cesspit.
will he be coaching England at the six nations?
Felix? Does he have the allround capability of a head coach?
Illuminating
Yeah, he wasn't even assisting with the D like the media beat up suggest, he was analysing the opposition, a very 'low involvement' role.
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