- Felix Jones has give up as England’s defence coach of their largest backroom blow
- England will miss his World-Cup successful expertise and blitz system plans
- His exit comes after Aled Walters and Tom Tombleston additionally left Steve Borthwick
Steve Borthwick‘s bid for long-term success with England has been hit as soon as once more after key assistant Felix Jones resigned from his function as defence coach.
Jones follows power and conditioning supremo Aled Walters – who has joined Eire – and health guru Tom Tombleson in quitting their RFU roles.
At a time when England are exhibiting promising indicators of development on the sphere, the lack of three of Borthwick’s lieutenants should be thought-about a severe concern.
Jones’ departure is the largest blow of the three given he had been tasked with implementing a brand new blitz defence system.
Jones joined England after serving to South Africa to win back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
England defence coach and two-time World Cup winner Felix Jones has give up his place
That is the third latest workers exit for Steve Borthwick, pictured, after Aled Walters and Tom Tombleston
Jones is near Aled Waters, left, who left the England set-up to hitch Eire earlier this month
The Mail on Sunday understands Jones was very shut with Walters and that he was hit arduous by his departure and has thus determined to comply with swimsuit. He additionally lives in Dublin and has a younger household in Eire.
Jones is known to have a 12-month discover interval on his England deal, one he solely joined on seven months in the past. That implies that contractually, he will likely be obliged to remain in put up for England’s subsequent three campaigns – the 4 autumn Checks, the 2025 Six Nations, and subsequent summer time’s tour of Argentina which is but to be formally confirmed.
There’s, after all, an opportunity Jones and England may come to an settlement for him to depart previous to that.
With the 2024/25 season set to start subsequent month, Borthwick now wants a brand new defence coach. The following steps ahead are unclear.
Not solely will or not it’s troublesome for Borthwick to discover a alternative of Jones’ calibre, he’ll then must determine how England will function in defence shifting forwards.
Jones’ blitz system – which entails the line of defense dashing up as one – has proven indicators of success after a troublesome begin however shouldn’t be a straightforward course of to implement.
The latest departures threaten to undermine England’s spectacular progress on the pitch
Jones is unlikely to be in need of potential new employers given his profession CV. He’s prone to be beneath robust consideration to tour with the British & Irish Lions to Australia subsequent summer time – a tour which will likely be headed up by present Eire head coach Andy Farrell.
Borthwick will now be determined for Kevin Sinfield, beforehand England defence coach earlier than he moved apart when Jones arrived, to remain on as a part of his workforce after he had additionally come near leaving.
