- England gamers shared their reactions following Felix Jones’ shock departure
- Jones’ England exit follows that of power and conditioning chief Aled Walters
England’s gamers have admitted they’ve been left shocked by Felix Jones’ departure however backed the management of Steve Borthwick after a swiftly organized group assembly.
Defence coach Jones’ determination to stop the nationwide set-up hasn’t formally been confirmed by the RFU, however his loss follows the choice of power and conditioning chief Aled Walters to additionally transfer on. It has robbed head coach Borthwick of two of his most trusted lieutenants forward of the autumn and at a time when the nationwide aspect has proven indicators of on-field development.
Northampton’s England scrum-half Alex Mitchell confirmed on Tuesday that England’s main gamers had mentioned the affect of dropping Walters and Jones, however that they had been united within the group’s course of journey beneath Borthwick forward of the brand new season.
‘It was actually stunning. I undoubtedly, undoubtedly did not see it coming,’ stated Northampton and England fly-half Fin Smith after Jones’ shock leaving adopted that of Walters.
‘There isn’t any two methods about it, they are going to be massive losses.
Stars shared their reactions after Felix Jones grew to become the most recent coach to go away the England set-up
Fin Smith referred to as the 37-year-old’s departure after lower than a yr a ‘shock and a disgrace’
‘It is an actual shock and little bit of a disgrace. Felix is without doubt one of the hardest working coaches and probably the greatest rugby brains I’ve come throughout.’
Smith’s Northampton and England colleague George Furbank added: ‘We weren’t anticipating it. No person actually noticed it coming. It was a little bit of a shock. It was a little bit of an odd timing.
‘I beloved working with Felix particularly. I assumed he was an excellent coach so he’ll undoubtedly be missed, however I’m certain Steve has received some guys who will step up into that function.’
Jones solely joined the England set-up after final yr’s World Cup after serving to South Africa to win the final two international tournaments. However his tenure beneath Borthwick has solely lasted seven months regardless of him having success in implementing a brand new blitz defence system.
England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward stated in his MailSport column Jones had ‘let Borthwick and English rugby down. Large time.’
Borthwick’s seek for a brand new defence coach and health group is already underway.
On Tuesday Furbank and Smith each admitted they’d be eager for England to take care of Jones’ blitz system whoever takes on his function.
‘It helped us (England) go from a defence that was ranked fourth or fifth on the earth to first or second and we undoubtedly noticed large enhancements,’ Furbank stated. ‘It’s a defence that took some time to know however I feel when you do, you are feeling like such a dominant aspect.’
Jones’ exit comes simply weeks after Aled Walters (proper) left his function with England to hitch Eire
Regardless of the departures England’s main stars affirmed their help for Steve Borthwick
Northampton, final season’s Gallagher Premiership champions, have three promising younger English coaches in director of rugby Phil Dowson, assault chief Sam Vesty and Lee Radford who’s in control of the Saints’ defence.
‘All of our teaching group are beneath contract,’ stated outgoing Northampton chief govt Mark Darbon. ‘We’re so happy with what they’ve executed, final yr specifically.
‘We very lately prolonged the contracts of Phil, Sam, Lee and the remainder of the teaching group so I feel we’re in place.
‘We’re optimistic they are going to proceed to guide us to a number of success.’
