FELIX JONES IS reportedly set for a shock exit as England assistant coach after just one season in Steve Borthwick’s backroom.
The highly-regarded Dubliner has told Borthwick that he is resigning his role “with immediate effect”, according to an exclusive by Peter O’Reilly in The Times on Saturday, although The 42 understands that Jones’s contract contains a 12-month notice period which the RFU may yet see as a final opportunity to convince him otherwise.
The Times reports that Jones’s dramatic departure is as a result of an “unstable working environment”, and comes hot on the heels of strength and conditioning coach Aled Waters’s exit to join Ireland.
After playing his part in South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup successes in 2019 and 2023, former Ireland fullback Jones joined Borthwick’s coaching ticket as defence coach ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.
England finished third behind Ireland and France, with Jones’s contribution credited as a significant part of the team’s first three-win championship since 2020.
If there is no room for him in the Ireland set up the IRFU will hopefully have a spot for him somewhere in the coaching system.
The knowledge and intell he can bring home will be incredible.
@Joe O’Regan: south African social media pages are bursting with comments around wanting felix j to come back to SA..he made a massive impact during his time (you could see snippets on catching the sun) of just how impactful he was to the squad . Granted he left a double world cup winner who wanted to be closer to home and joined England and immediately made a huge impact on their defense. I hope he can pick up a decent head coach role because he certainly oozes talent from what I’ve seen …
@Stuart: typical SA social media he is coming home to Ireland
@Square: Typical Irish social media
@Joe O’Regan: Andy Farrell will likely offer him a job in the Lions coaching team! 1 year from now who knows what opportunities will be available in Ireland or the provinces.
It’s hard to think he wouldn’t not be a better fit than Pete Wilkins out west. Connacht are best used to develop youngsters in an attacking aggressive style of play. A young Irish coach with lots of experience and contacts would seem a good fit.
He’s coming home
@Gary Galligan: Hopefully, he’s an asset to any team!!!
@Gary Galligan: to Leinster?
@anthony davoren: Ulster
@Gary Galligan: Why Ulster?
Welcome back to Munster Felix
@Noel Roe: Cant help but think that any assistant provincial role would be a massive step down, but his trajectory is short if very suitably steep, perhaps he’s just wanting to be here, family, etc. If so would be great addition (for any of us), cant help but think he really needs to capitalise on the worth of his efforts, there is a high chance he comes back here and stagnates that momentum, more money in France too, RoG might have a offer. Plus there’ll be an SA offer (probs). Maybe NZ.
Ulster, commuting from his home in Dublin, alongside Richie Murphy, would be a great slot for Felix. England unlikely to let him go to an international set-up before 12 m9nth notice period has elapsed. If they did, working alongside Easterby, who normally takes the defence coach role, would look like a good fit during Farrell’s Lions soujourn
@Des Lamont: would Felix not be considered a more senior figure now than Richie Murphy? Hard to see him working under him
@Des Lamont: I think he woukd be a better fit on Andy Farrell’s coaching team with the Lions and then see how the land lies. What are the chances thatbAndy has already spoken to him?
Surely the IRFU should be able to find room for him
I hear the All Blacks have a coaching spot open!
Come on home felix, plenty of space with Jerry and tony
@Stuart: Whos jerry and tony
@Square: Tom and Gerry?
@Daithi Mc Ghiollamhairtin: lol
@Square: he means back to SAF
@keith mellon (JoHn SpArTaN): Not his home thats for sure
Offer him a job here asap
Great news, bring him back.
Could go to Joe Schmidt. England might let him go sooner than the 12 months if he wasn’t a 6 nation’s threat.
@Declan Reidy: I think one of the main reasons he left SA was the distance from family etc. Oz is a good bit further so unlikely I’d say.
@Jack Kirwan: Think his family were in Cape Town with him for the 4 years.
Coming home with a pitstop at the Lions
12 month notice period?
@Cian O: He’ll replace ‘Jock’ Nienaber at end of this season.
We need him to come back to Ireland. Both him and Ronan O’Gara are some of the best young coaches in the world. Ireland is proving to be an attractive proposition for talented foreign players and coaches but we need to make the most of indigenous ability too.
Ab’s just had an assistant coach leave