The end came without warning in late August. A mere seven months in the job. A 12-month notice period to be worked out. The mystery of England defence coach Felix Jones’ sudden disappearance from the national coaching set-up has yet to be fully unravelled.
There were vague references to Jones’ disquiet about “an unstable working environment” which were more reminiscent of the era belonging to Felix’s namesake Eddie than any teams coached by Steve Borthwick. It is easy to tack a tail on to that piñata but no substantial evidence has emerged since to prove the point.
The RFU’s chief executive Bill Sweeney commented the Munsterman’s resignation “came out of the blue”. And the noises from Borthwick himself at the start of the 2024 Six Nations were genuinely enthusiastic in tone.
“I have seen people who have worked very hard,” he said. “This guy [Felix Jones]? I don’t know whether he sleeps! He has the knowledge, the understanding of areas of the game.
“We [the England coaches] were sat the other day looking at some stuff on his laptop, where he was picking apart an area of the game – picking it apart, an area of contact, and showing things that I don’t think I’ve ever heard any other coach discuss.”
After that tournament had finished, the Cumbrian upgraded Jones from defence coach to senior assistant coach, effectively deputising him as his second in command. The trust was there, at least on one side of the relationship.
The mystery has only deepened as Jones has started to work his notice period remotely. Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade commented: “We don’t have any contact with Felix. I am not sure if the coaches do or not. We have been working with [Jones’ replacement] Joe [El Abd] and our defensive leaders, trying to set the defence and the team up to defend as well as possible.”
The sense that the lines of communication have effectively been cut was reinforced by Borthwick’s assistant on the opposite side of the ball, Richard Wigglesworth, who has now taken on the senior coaching mantle once reserved for the Irishman.
Asked whether Jones was still functioning as part of the coaching group, the ex-Saracens scrum-half responded: “I wouldn’t be able to tell you. I have not spoken to him. I know he is working for us – behind the scenes, that is – but I have not spoken to him.”
The timing of Jones’ departure was odd to say the least, coming as it did on the back of a successful tour of duty in July. Jones was beginning to make real headway with the teaching of his South Africa-based blitz system, and his England charges only allowed a stingy four tries in two Tests against New Zealand, in New Zealand. To put that in perspective, Ireland conceded 11 tries in three Tests on their winning tour of the shaky isles back in 2022. If you can hold your opponents to two tries per game it will give you the chance to win any game of international rugby, whoever you are playing.
The England players were keen to continue the learning curve, and they were as perplexed as their coaches when Jones left. As Northampton full-back George Furbank commented in an interview with The Guardian: “I loved working with Felix especially. I thought he was a very good coach. So, he will definitely be missed.
“We weren’t expecting it. Nobody really saw it coming. It was a bit of a shock. It was a bit of an odd timing. But I’m sure the people Steve will bring in will do a good job.
“[Jones’ blitz defence] helped us go from a defence that was ranked fourth or fifth in the world to first or second. We saw massive improvements.”
Very few people give up a job when they are on an upswing, and so obviously valued by their peers and those they are educating. Jones left England with his stock enhanced rather than depressed, and it is a question of ‘where next?’ for the Kilkenny-born full-back, of picking from myriad potential suitors. A return to his old province with the director of rugby post now vacant after Graham Rowntree’s departure? A job as Andy Farrell’s main assistant on the British and Lions trip to Australia? Or was Jones’ time with the Red Rose always underpinned by a return ticket, back to the Protea and the Springbok in Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa?
The only certain aspect of the whole sorry affair is Jones left the England defence in better shape than it is right now. The men in white have given up 11 tries in three home games against New Zealand [2], Australia [5] and South Africa [4]. Those stats are highly untypical of any team mentored by Borthwick and it has become the single most pressing concern for the head coach moving forward.
The pattern run by Jones had all the defenders in the front line concentrated in one half of the pitch, looking to rush as far upfield as possible on an out-to-in angle. Here are a couple of brief reminders from that England tour in July.
There are 13 men in the line, and by the time the second or third pass is made, Exeter right wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has crossed over into the opposite [left-hand] side of the field. The line spacings are tight because the defence is not designed to cover the whole width of the pitch.
The system under El-Abd is very different.
There is strong line-speed around the Springbok first receiver, but outside that the defenders are playing on square rather than looking in. There is going to be no rush on the second receiver if the play goes that far, and the line spacings are wider as England look to cover more of the paddock.
A couple of phases later, it results in a scenario when the first receiver pressure is still strong, but defence around it is relatively passive. That enables Springbok scrum-half Grant Williams to exploit gaps left by line-speed at one spot, and static positioning beside it.
One man shoots up, another reads and waits. I counted four instances where South Africa were able to exploit this ‘shooter’ philosophy in the course of the game to achieve line-breaks. Here is another example.
As soon as Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse feels the pressure to his front, he cuts back towards the more passive defenders around the ruck. It is like an automatic reaction and it was obviously ‘schooled’ by the South African coaches before the game.
From the England point of view, the most disturbing aspect is this weakness has been there right from the start of the Autumn Nations Series. As the famous New York Baseball player and coach, and well-known malapropist Yogi Berra once put it: “It was like déjà vu, all over again”.
As soon as you feel pressure to your front, go back to the middle, or even as far as the short-side where you know the defence will be more flat-footed and compliant. In this case it is Beauden Barrett cutting back and Will Jordan applying the finishing touches through a yawning hole near the ruck.
As the total of five tries conceded against Australia implies, it was the Wallabies who took this formula to its logical conclusion under Joe Schmidt’s shrewd guidance. Whether it was starter Jake Gordon or bench sniper Tate McDermott coming off the bench from nine, Australia knew England would be leaving that space vacant underneath their first receiver rush.
One of the basic tenets of good defence is all your defenders are crystal clear about what they are trying to do and on the same mental page: moving as one body, at the same speed and with one intent. The current recipe – with some rushing and others reading and awaiting events to unfold – seems to be creating more confusion than certainty in the minds of the English players.
That same basic scenario cost England another try in the 51st minute.
Angus Bell cuts back against the grain and makes the initial incision, Jeremy Williams calls for the scalpel to finish the move on the next play. The story of England’s autumn series is like Berra said, watching déjà vu all over again, match in, match out.
This is the very next sequence after Williams’ try. The Wallabies know they will find space and passivity on either side of that first receiver rush, and Tom Wright duly exploits it for the break.
The kind of laxity, and mishaps in the defence of the realm this autumn would not have been tolerated on Jones’ watch. But the real reason for his abrupt departure from Borthwick’s coaching panel remains a matter of speculation. His players are playing as if they still don’t know why he left, when things were going so swimmingly.
One thing is for certain, it has left a gaping chasm in England’s IP and affected the balance of the game Borthwick was building. El-Abd’s new system has little or no points of continuity with what England were being taught from January to July, and confidence has declined progressively. Borthwick probably wishes he could rewind the clock back to the summer, before Jones ever left for pastures new and, as yet, unknown. As Berra put it so memorably, “the future ain’t what it used be.”
I remember there was rhetoric about the new coach coming in and continuing the same system Jones installed. That's obviously gone out the window. It was cool watching those clips from the NZ tour, that was a serious Wolfpack. AB players looked like they were being hunted.
What we have now is a shambles. It clear El Abd doesn't know what he's doing and he has no track record to indicate otherwise. His appointment is ridiculous. Nothing against the bloke but he's only got the job because he's mates with Borthers.
When you look at how poorly organised our defence is and how blunt our attack is (Marcus excepted). It pains me to hear these so called pundits banging on about how close England are to being a top side based on narrow losses. England have massive issues, are a long way from being a good side and do not have the coaches to fix the issues. It's a testament to the quality of the players that they're managing to front up enough to compete with these sides.
How can they not have the coaches to fix the issue? There's been a lot of talk about how their is a coaching drain in Australia but even they have the coach's to fix the issue (well in my opinion England are just as good as them) how can England also not have those pathways?
Perhaps if England do get into a similar tricky spot as Aus did then some good names will be putting their hand up?
Yes hunting is a good word for it Tom. Now some are hunting, others are being hunted. Consistency of purpose there is not.
I'm trying not to be too critical of JEA but he has it all to prove. The defensive failings have undercut England's dvelopment at a critical moment.
We can all see this problem, eh? Love the clips showing how smart opposition coaches exploit it though. Thanks, Nick.
Borthwick has obviously earned the right to expect people to look elsewhere when the sort of personal problems likely at the heart of Jones' departure occur but it's hard to believe he's, if not entirely to blame, at least most of the problem.
England seem between choices in every aspect of their play to me right now
A great way to put it DM, I think the players are there but the clarity most certaily isn't!
It is unbelievable the slump in England's form since beating Ireland in last year's 6 N, and giving the AB's a good run for the money down in NZ. The Felix Jones walkout has been disastrous. What happened there we may never know.
The England backline has faltered too, scoring some great tries, but then also making bad mistakes, such as the one that led to the Kellaway try. I felt that out in NZ there was too much possession kicked away, and that has continued this autumn.
One does miss a lot in just watching the game once, and not going back and checking on "what really happened". That is where the analytical part of your articles are so illuminating, Nick.
Normally you could say the 'unstable environment' line and have it not mean anything when your departure is immediate, it is just something to say as an excuse or accepted reason that avoids saying the truth, but when you know that exit is 12 months away from your notice it really has to mean something.
The fact that he is continuing on though leads you to believe it is not within the coaching setup but within the wider team or company environment. Now way would SB endure whats happening unless he though Felix's contribution would outweigh it.
Yes Miz, they have to address that tendency to lock up shop and kick when they are ahead around the hour mark. The change of mindset changes everything else and brings the opponent back into the game...
This piece is nothing more than the result of revisionist fancy of Northern Hemisphere rugby fans. Seeing what they want to see, helped but some surprisingly good results and a desire to get excited about doing something well.
I went back through the 6N highlights and sure enough in every English win I remembered seeing these exact holes on the inside, that are supposedly the fallout out of a Felix Jones system breaking down in the hands of some replacement. Every time the commentators mentioned England being targeted up the seam/around the ruck or whatever. Each game had a try scored on the inside of the blitz, no doubt it was a theme throughout all of their games. Will Jordan specifically says that Holland had design that move to target space he saw during their home series win.
Well I'm here to tell you they were the same holes in a Felix Jones system being built as well. This woe is now sentiment has got to stop. The game is on a high, these games have been fantastic! It is Englands attack that has seen their stocks increase this year, and no doubt that is what SB told him was the teams priority. Or it's simply science, with Englands elite players having worked towards a new player welfare and management system, as part of new partnership with the ERU, that's dictating what the players can and can't put their bodies through.
The only bit of truth in this article is that Felix is not there to work on fixing his defence. England threw away another good chance of winning in the weekend when they froze all enterprise under pressure when no longer playing attacking footy for the second half. That mindset helped (or not helped if you like) of course by all this knee jerk, red brained criticism.
Revisionist NH fans?
Let's be derogatory about half the rugby fans on Earth in one sweeping statement.
Take that chip off your shoulder friend, life is too short.
"This piece is nothing more than the result of revisionist fancy of Northern Hemisphere rugby fans. Seeing what they want to see, helped but some surprisingly good results and a desire to get excited about doing something well."
Ireland had 17 wins on trot including 2 x NZ and SA. France only lost to Ireland in 2 years. These aren't surprising results. Can you please substantiate your nonsense statements?
What a load of baloney JW. At least try, man. Still sore that the ABs could not score as many tries v England as Aussie and SA maybe?
Look through the games v Ireland, France and the two NZ tour losses, and there is not one try scored in the same way as I'm describing here! Not one.
The system being run by El Abd is not the one that implemented by Jones. They are like chalk and cheese.
It's not the same at all but I recognize you cannot see it - and that's okay.
The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
Not just that, weve seen him get skinned and concede try's twice doing that.
I think they need him SK, that's the obvious thing, but yes it's a balance act with the media as they are up their.
It doesn't look like they are even taught to move at the same speed SK. One rushes, another lags behind - hence 'shooters'. The last example is especially bad, and it looks like the players have zero belief in what they are doing - far from the case under Felix.
I doubt Joe wants to coach the same system as Felix, given free rein. What a mess!
Thanks Nick. Surely they will thump Japan this week and the pressure will be off. Do you want to make a prediction that the defence coach will go before the Six Nations? England seem to want Borthwick there for a long time so surely they will back Bortho and look for a new defence coach?
I doubt that kind of win will erase the doubts somehow DW. The 6N will tell the tale now.
Obviously Borthwick is the problem. He's inflexible. It's his way or the highway. Trouble is he's going the wrong way.
Where did you get this impression from? He's actually adapted his style since becoming England coach so it's now more Northampton than Leicester.
Must be because he's an English coach coaching an English team.
Jacques Nienabers blitz defensive system. Jones brought in to implement Nienabers system.
Oriignally, Jones developed it.
Yes, it will all come out in the wash for sure. Fwiw my money’s on Munster and while the timings look odd the way things have worked out, that wouldn’t have been the case if England had done the predictable thing and cut him loose immediately. The pull back there is probably strong as well given his playing career was cut short.
On the Joe El defence, the shooter variation has been made to look more like a schoolboy error and it’s always going to be vulnerable to special plays. If you look at the Boks example, a two man miss pass, if they had gone on the outside, puts the England full back in trouble trying to cover a 3 v 2 overlap and they’re fully cooked if the missed Bok inside runners are moving fast in support. And the all blacks cut back was sublime with the pass inside to Jordan eliminating the need that arendse had to step the first defender on the short side. Cracking analysis Nick and it seems to show that Joe’s plan is almost doomed from the off…?
Its primitive to say the least Ed [Joe's D]
Ppl are saying that there is a willingness to let Joe work his way into international rugby but he's starting from a helluva lot lower base than Felix was. Atm the defensive side is crippling England's game, which winds us back to why Felix resigned when he did. I don't really understand the 12 month release clause either, surely it cannot be comfortable if he's looking over Joe and the players' shoulder from afar?
Interesting comparison of the defensive systems. Thanks Nick.
I am surprised we have not heard more about the Felix Jones exit. Best guess is that there was a major disagreement, kind of a "my defensive system can't work if you insist on doing/not-doing XYZ" discussion.
Yes we never heard a prop explanation either for him or Aled Walters did we? All a bit strange for two such major players to depart at the same time without warning.
When England were busy getting to grips with the blitz defence - Nick you may recall - we discussed the importance of fitness of the players to do it properly.
Hence why Aled Walters was so instrumental to the Boks.
Hence why the Bombsquad was forged too - the ability to field close on two packs over 80 and replacing 5 of them in one moment - became part and parcel of the Blitz approach.
I questioned at the time England players' committment to the system as it is no walk in the park.
I suspect that neither Felix nor Aled were getting the full buy-in and support from the players. And that contributed to the "working environment" claims.
Steven Kitshchoff's recent comment about England's fitness hit the nail on the head for me. They're not fit enough to make it work.
Also, their core group of older players all recently got paid upfront in their new sweet deal contracts... Now they're lazy too.
😇
As Nick has said I think the evidence is that the English players did buy in very well indeed. Towards the end of FJ's tenure, England's defence was superb and getting better every game. As soon as he left it went to pot. I don't think the players should shoulder the blame for what seems to be a lot of mixed messages coming from the coaches. We're seeing our defensive organisation looking ragged from the first quarter, it's not an issue with fitness or player buy-in. I know England are serial underperformers but pulling on the white shirt is a lifelong dream and means everything to those blokes.
Could be the case Bull but it sounds maybe a bit extreme, especially since the England players, if anything, have been too malleable post the EJ treatment. If it does prove to be the case, I can tell you the players will get slaughtered given recent results…
Walters would have a say in that, but the 6/2 or 7/1 bench is more important Bull.
I don't think you can run that D all game with a 5/3 bench, game in game out. At least, not as successfully.
I don't think your claims about a lack of buy-in from England players is right though. What evidence do you have for that? As you can see, I could only find positive comments.
The EP is also the highest ball-in-play league in the world right now, so I don't buy the lazy and unfit line on England players. The problem is the system not the players.