RFU statement: England recruit another 2019 Rugby World Cup winner
New England boss Steve Borthwick has recruited a second member of the Springboks 2019 World Cup-winning staff after securing a deal to enable Felix Jones to join for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. Borthwick already has Aled Walters set to arrive from Leicester as head of strength and conditioning ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup along with Richard Wigglesworth.
He has now added to that staff by securing the services of Jones, who exited Munster at the end of the 2018/19 season and was quickly parachuted into the Springboks set up as a defence consultant by Rassie Erasmus, with whom he had worked at the Irish province.
Jones then continued with South Africa on a long-term contract as an assistant coach in 2020. He was based in the UK where he kept a close eye on the European-based players of South African interest and dealt directly with them on a regular basis, as well joining the Springboks on full national duty during competitions and training camps.
A statement read: “England Rugby is pleased to announce that men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has appointed Felix Jones to join his coaching team from 2024. Following a playing career that saw him represent Ireland 23 times between 2007 and 2015, Felix was an assistant coach for three years at Munster before joining South Africa as an assistant coach in 2019.
“Richard Wigglesworth, assistant coach, and Aled Walters, head of strength and conditioning, will join Borthwick and defence coach Kevin Sinfield at the end of the Premiership season. Recruitment is now underway for a new forwards coach and additional specialist coaches will be brought in to support the England team during the preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.”
Borthwick said: “Our immediate focus is on preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2023. We are continuing to build our programme to be in a position to compete to be world champions once again. At the same time, I also want to ensure we are preparing for long-term success for this England team and I am excited that a coach as talented as Felix is joining next year.
“Felix has been competing at the top of world rugby during his four years with South Africa and will bring invaluable experience to our set up. Like Aled Walters, Felix was an integral part of the team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
“Together with Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield, we are putting in place a coaching team who have spent their careers at the highest level competing for trophies. That is exactly what we want for this England team”.
In a separate statement released via the Springboks, Erasmus said: “It’s a big loss to lose a coach of Felix’s calibre. While we are saddened by the decision. We know how difficult it was for him to make that call and we fully understand the reasons.
“He has been an asset to the Springboks in the last few years and the way he has evolved in his role and willingly took on additional responsibilities to ensure that the team functioned as optimally as possible in his areas of expertise has been admirable.
“We know Felix will remain fully committed to the Springboks cause and give everything as we attempt to defend our Rugby World Cup title in France, and hopefully we can make it a special and memorable send-off for him later this year.”
Jones added: “Coaching the Springboks is one of the biggest privileges in rugby and I intend to do everything I can to ensure the team is successful until the day my contract comes to its natural end.
“The last four years have been an incredible journey for me and my family, both professionally and personally. I am indebted to so many people at the Springboks and in South Africa for that.
“My commitment to the Springboks until the end of the Rugby World Cup is unquestionable, and Rassie, Jacques (Nienaber – the Springboks head coach) and the entire Springboks team know that. The next five months are going to be exciting and demanding, and I’m looking forward to preparing for the World Cup with this coaching team.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments