1
Felix Jones has handed in his resignation as England defence coach
By PA
Felix Jones has resigned as England’s defence coach in a shock development that continues the recent upheaval to Steve Borthwick’s backroom staff. Jones has been an important figure for England since his recruitment 10 months ago from South Africa, who he helped win back-to-back Rugby World Cups under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 37-year-old former Ireland international was responsible for introducing the blitz defence that was starting to bear fruit after some teething problems early in the Guinness Six Nations. Its aggressive nature troubled New Zealand in July when England fell to narrow defeats in Dunedin and Auckland.
Although Jones has handed in his resignation, the PA news agency understands his contract contains a 12-month notice period that would keep him in place until next summer if triggered by the Rugby Football Union. News of his surprise departure comes in the wake of influential head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters dropping an equally unexpected bombshell by defecting to Ireland.
Video Player is loading.
Walters was an influential voice on the training field whose involvement extended beyond his strength and conditioning duties and he was joined through the exit door by Tom Tombleson, a long-serving member of the conditioning staff. The uncertainty surrounding the England management team includes Kevin Sinfield, the rugby league great who was demoted to skills coach to accommodate Jones’ arrival.
Sinfield was poised to step down after the recent tour to Japan and New Zealand but his popularity amongst the players, as well as his experience, was seen as too valuable to lose. However, an extension of his stay and in what capacity has yet to be confirmed.
Jones’ desire to leave is understood to be linked to Walters’ departure, with the two forming a strong working relationship while serving under Erasmus with Munster and then South Africa. But the churn of backroom staff – a destructive theme of the Eddie Jones era – also asks questions of Borthwick’s methods.
Attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, scrum coach Tom Harrison and coaching consultant Andrew Strawbridge are now the only confirmed members of Borthwick’s management team heading into the autumn. The All Blacks’ visit to Twickenham on November 2 opens a schedule that continues with fixtures against Australia, South Africa and Japan and it remains to be seen if Jones will be involved.
ADVERTISEMENT
Borthwick will see the development as a huge setback having repeatedly hailed the impact made by Jones, whose knowledge he has described as “groundbreaking”.
Article in the Sunday Times today cited "an unstable working environment". There is confusion also around the role of Kevin Sinfield whom Jones replaced as defense coach. Sinfield was due to resign after the Japan/NZ tour but had stayed on.
That's Tom Tombleson, Aled Walters and Felix Jones gone now within a short period.
Wait, England had a coach called Tom Tombleson? Wtf lol
Disappointing but not something that can't be overcome, these coaches are mercenaries with no real attachment to English rugby. RFU / Borthwick should only appointment committed English coaches surely there's enough English talent out there.
You have absolutely no substantiation that Jones has acted in a mercenary way. As an Irishman he helped SA to two RWCs. His influence has already been noted with the England team. Walters gone, Tom Tombleson is English and involved for 10 years, also gone. Role of Kevin Sinfield (English) also unclear. Nice anti-foreigner rant. But notr grounded in reality.
Mercenaries? Jones was loyal to SA rugby for 6 years and gave every sense of being committed to the teams’ success - two world cups later…. Smacks of something wrong in the England setup if they can’t retain him frankly!
Well this is awful news.
Hopefully Sinfield goes back to coaching defence? There's some great coaches in the prem atm (Vesty, Dowson, Skivington) but not convinced anyone stands out as appropriate for the defence brief.
Not good news. I think England would be wise to keep Jones (use some of the 12 month clause) at least to transition in someone new. Losing the defence coach after the establishment of a new defense system can be hurt the team.
I think England should stick to the defense system they have and that may involve Jones advising someone for several months in the England camp
How are those chances of moving to 4th in the world? Reckon in our lifetime?
The Times reports that Jones exits his position at the Rugby Football Union due to becoming “unhappy with an unstable working environment” in the England set-up. Planet Rugby.
Anyone stand out for Borthwick’s job? He’s next.
Coaches and assistant coaches must be chatting to each other behind the scenes like it’s rugby Tinder.
If RFU had a 12 month notice clause they could ask Jones to overlap with his replacement so that there is continuity for the rush defence project.
Sinfeld staying would be the logical choice HOWEVER he was jettisoned or deemed surplus to requirements so how does the harmony around the coaching table unfold?
I hear they do have one.
This is just so unlike England. Normally they change all their coaches just before the World Cup.
Must be trying a new tactic.
Jones departure due to close working relationship with Walters. Walters has defected to Ireland...no place like home Felix!
And if the rfu waive the 12 month notice period there wouldn’t be a better time seeing as Farrell will be away for the 6 nations and Easterbury taking over
Dear oh dear England… just to say that Walters and Jones were revered amongst the Bok coaching staff and players alike… yet neither chose to stick around with England. Jones is top tier now, Ireland next up with the top job once Farrell leaves.
Each World Cup medalists too.
Was Jones actually defence or attack coach with SA or was Nienaber doing defense himself?
Would love to see Felix named All Blacks defence coach.
Fair trade for Tony Brown.
"Felix" is Irish not SA. You may not be getting much from Ireland in the next several years. All Blacks ltd not a popular brand within Irish rugby which Jones will be aware of.
If Leon was attack coach, would Felix be joining NZ as attack coach - the post he held with the boks?
I think Felix is going to Ireland.
Felix Jones’s should come back to SA, England management is obvious deeply chaotic
No space for him. Pretty certain he’s going to Ireland.
Ireland or NZ? Didn't NZ just lose McDonald? Strange coincidence. Felix don't just jump ship. He has been with SA for 2 WC's. He isn't even a year there and boom, he is leaving.
🍿
Interesting approach to rebuilding, England.
just when they were getting back to interesting...
10 bucks says he’s going to Ireland.
You're on mate, my 10 bucks says Australia.