England players and coaches ‘not speaking to Felix Jones’ as bizarre situation emerges ahead of huge Springboks clash
Banished England coach Felix Jones and attack guru Richard Wigglesworth.
England are unsure as to how involved exiled coach Felix Jones actually is ahead of their crunch game with the Springboks.
The 37-year-old is currently serving out his 12-month notice period having announced that he would be resigning from his role as the country’s defence coach.
Jones joined the Red Rose at the start of 2024 from South Africa, where he had worked for the previous four years, helping them to successive Rugby World Cup titles.
Although the Boks’ game has inevitably developed and changed slightly since then, the Irishman’s experience of Rassie Erasmus’ set-up could have proven very helpful.
No contact
However, according to attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, he has not had any contact with Jones and is not certain how involved the former Ireland international currently is.
“I’ve not spoken to him,” Wigglesworth said. “I don’t know [if he has been delivering analysis]. He’s behind the scenes, it’s not for me [to say]. For the analysis guys and other people…he was obviously defence and that side of it, so…
“I’m sure [his knowledge of South Africa] has been tapped into but their coaches have [also] changed since he was there. They’re playing a slightly different style.”
Jones is currently working remotely and is supposedly taking on the role of an analyst with Joe El-Abd now the defence coach.
“We don’t have any contact with Felix,” centre Henry Slade said. “I’m not sure if the coaches do or not. We’ve been working with Joe and our defensive leaders, trying to set the defence and the team up to defend as well as possible.
“Obviously things have not quite gone as well and when not everyone is on the same page – some people flying, some people not – it looks a bit ragged.
“The thing with the blitz is you have to fully commit, go all in, and be together. Then it becomes strong.”
How to watch England v Springboks at Twickenham: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time
Exile
It was claimed that Jones was “unhappy with the unstable working environment”, with the former Boks coach subsequently exiled from the group ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
He was told not to attend training and it appears as though he has had very little involvement in their campaign so far.
Since making those changes to the coaching staff, England have succumbed in their previous two Tests, including a shock defeat to Australia.
Those 42 points conceded against the Wallabies was the joint second most by an opposition team at Twickenham in what has been a bad start for El-Abd.
And it seems like Borthwick will not be asking for any assistance from Jones, who was the one that implemented the Springboks-style blitz.
In fact, Wigglesworth could not provide clarity when asked whether the Irishman was still employed by the RFU.
“I wouldn’t be able to tell you,” he said. “I’ve not spoken to him. I know he’s working for us – behind the scenes that is – but I haven’t spoken to him.”
