ENGLAND COACHING CRISIS! Felix Jones, World Cup Winning Defense Coach QUITS!

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

Two Top Level Coaches resign/quit/leave England in less than a month??!!! No coincidence.

[@andreemurray7039]

The RFU are a bunch of dinosaurs and will ruin the game and the higher ticket prices at Twickenham also cut out the normal fan

[@mrb1380]

The loss of 3 new coaches in quick succession is an utter humiliation and I for one am fed up with it. The RFU are not a serious organisation and it needs a complete overhaul. Now is the time to get this sorted cos we cannot carry on like this we need to start with Sweeney! There is money there for the RFU to get in a proper keader who can oversee the reform.

[@johannblignaut1966]

All I Can say as a Saffa is if you watch the documentary Chasing the Sun2 it will be crystal clear that Felix Jones is far more than a rush defence coach.If England wishes to succeed they should get to the bottom of all the coaching staff leaving.

[@marksmith4518]

I agree, was watching it the other day and the guy is great (especially at pumping up the team psychologically). Great loss for England

[@GQ-df2li]

Jones is a huge loss to England. I hope he comes back to Ireland.

[@seanofarrell8896]

I'll be surprised if it happens

[@optoms1178]

He's more than welcome to come back to the Springboks ❤😂

[@janhbhugo5085]

That’s a huge loss for England !

[@riyaadrhoda3990]

Jones was 6 years with the Boks and it was clear how happy and grateful he was for the opportunity. The coaching staff and players had the utmost respect for him. Something seems to be clearly off with the England setup.

[@bartleyhoran9833]

Aww I wish I could give felix a million a year to come to connacht and help us out.

[@edwardhorner4445]

Come back to the Boks & make it 3 in a row.

[@kristian762]

I'd ask why he left in the first place before we start inviting him back.

[@kingkongsson1]

Probably a new challenge, see if he could do it elsewhere. If he was south african he'd still be there. His attention to detail is ridiculous, a special coach and whomever has him next is a huge plus to that team.​@@kristian762

[@optoms1178]

​@@kristian762I think it's got to do with family in Ireland

[@ProTantoQuid]

I wonder if the reintroduction of Kevin Sinfield has induced confusing tensions and mixed messages? If so, it would underline a weakness in Borthwick's man management style.

[@jamesnield]

The answer to the question hinges around why these coaches are leaving. Is it Borthwick, is it the players or something else? Whatever the answer, it needs sorting because England have lost some quality staff.

[@kingkongsson1]

The rumours are he said it was an unstable environment to work .....

[@jeanm27]

Rassie must scoop Felix Jones up real quick and bring him home

[@optoms1178]

Agreed. We saffas love Felix

[@Smithy-i8y]

This isn’t a good few days for England. More worrying is the spin on recent games. We beat Ireland, narrowly. We should have beaten NZ in the first test, and arguably we had a good chance in the second. We lost both tests. Jones in my opinion wasn’t producing a faultless defence, but that’s due to the players he had at his disposal and the time he had in camp. But to leave so soon and in these circumstances suggests there is a bit of a problem behind the scenes and we need to not ignore that. If the RFU were good administrators, they should call Borthwick in for an emergency talk. And the first question should be why are they leaving Steve? The second should be, why can’t we close out games we should win?

[@andrewkelly7065]

Jons and ROG waiting for an Ireland slot to open up now. Irelands the place all the top people want to be

[@Gilan4983]

It’s a huge blow for England. IMO the underlying problem with Borthwick seems to be he has no personal rugby philosophy, he just tries to analyse what other teams are doing and to copy it. I don’t see any genuine innovation in him and if you want to become a world beater you need that.

[@davidwalker2402]

I fully agree and I now think he can get any coach to do the same job as the proven coaches. I also believe bortwick hasn’t a clue what he should be doing.

[@olwenpillay8451]

Felix Jones is a good coach but he's not the one that implemented the rush defense for SA. That title belongs to Jaques nienaber. Please give credit were credit is due. He learned that rush defense style from nienaber.

[@paulhickey2356]

@@olwenpillay8451 You don't know where he learnt anything. Perhaps he taught it to Niebaber during his tenure in SA.

[@jmo8934]

Not sure what Felix Jones plans are but the IRFU should be all over this. Find a spot for him especially with Andy Farrell coaching the lions next year.

[@robbugden3371]

Walters & Jones are a huge loss, I really like the development we have shown this year. Perhaps their departure is a product of the complete shambles the rfu is?

[@conorfurlong]

A complete puzzler.

[@garygavin857]

In the void left by the RFU spills speculation. You are right no one knows. Privately people do. Can England get Nick Evans. As leicester had to cough up 3 coaches on contracts. Ireland may not have the big bucks. But offer a unique experience & respect. Can England do that ? Lions Coaches give clear communication about the team. Borthwick is poor with this. Clearly the Team do need a person to fill that empty space. Lets have that structure. What coaches are marked for England Team futures. What did Eddy achieve in that role & who does it now. What does that look like. All you see are empty spaces left by the RFU not fronting UP. Thats not a plan really.

[@richardhooper2700]

An integration of ideas and plans is a large problem with two extremely competent coaches with necessarily well developed egos in the early stages of their careers especially in a head cand assistant coaching situation.

[@charlespirate1]

What is the evidence that Sinfield is an excellent defensive coach?

[@LukeTheDuke117]

He turned a terrible Leicesters defence into title winning standard in two seasons which is rarely impressive.

[@johnlewis2972]

All is just speculation, hope we know the truth soon.

[@simonhague2674]

Jones has a 12 month notice clause in his contract... Borthwick would be nuts to let him go befroe he's servied out that time. IMO, borthwick should go offer Shean Edwards a 10 year deal... Bottom line, we're going to continue to get these issues if we can't change the RFU

[@DavidShort-q1d]

I wonder if England are after rehiring M.Catt as the attack coach Now his system has been vindicated with Ireland . Then Wrigglesworth could move over to skills Which i think would suit him better and K.Sinfeild retaking over the defence Where i feel he will continue witha BLITZ style defence As it works so well when done correctly Jones going is of course a huge loss as is Walters But what is done is done and there is no going back and England just have to adapt and come upwith new ideas

[@turloughconway8178]

I think Sinfield will do a modification of his usual defensive structure to account for where the English team are with the rish defense. The 12 month notice is to avoid upheavel and I think a few months for Jones to assist during the transition is reasonable for both sides.

[@ath3263]

Shows up there must be something else in the background

[@sharronwood4486]

He should come home 🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️🤞

[@mattnicholls5084]

Big blow when your defence coach has a very unique system. We will literally have to start again under someone else.

[@davidpells4298]

It wouldnt surprise me if Rassie isnt already talking to Felix and Aled .. Probably not a spot available in the Bok set up but for sure somewhere in SA Rugby we can benefit from the massive intellectual capital these two have accumulated between them.

[@nickc4033]

Felix Jones is a big loss, but I'd almost say that Aled Walters going is bigger - other teams use a blitz defence, but AW was recognised as one of the top S&C guys in the world and without that core fitness of the players no defensive system will flourish. Need more clarity on why 3 coaches have gone in such quick succession; as well as what Borthwick plans to do about it to (1) replace them and (2) prevent future attrition.

[@kingkongsson1]

I think south african team inc coaches are so professional with everything down to the very last detail. It maybe is that england set up is not. The way the boks are so proud to wear the shirt or even just get in the squad , chasing the sun series shows that, there's no effing around just all serious and absolutely professional. It means so much to be part of it all for every single person involved . Is the set up in england like that n maybe he saw things he didn't like n Borthwick wouldn't change it. Rumours are he thought the set up was unstable n why he left????

[@mvubu6823]

Died of boredom

[@timslade5808]

While Easterby has done a great job at Ireland I think the IRFU would be crazy not to try and bring Jones back to Ireland

[@seanofarrell8896]

I'll agree but let's wait and see

[@conorfurlong]

No. Ireland do not play like SA nor should they. It was a huge mistake for Leinster to go down that route last season, and I really hope Ireland do not follow suit.

[@kingkongsson1]

​@@conorfurlongit's defence not attack etc. Defence can always be improved if u get the right coach.

[@hithere3035]

It's a blow to England as Felix is obviously a world class coach but i don't think it's going to change England that dramatically. The blitz defence has already been impemented into England, England have been playing with it for a while. So the next England defence coach just needs to keep it going and keep it sharp. It's not a difficult concept to grasp. The England players are not idios or rookies. They know what a blitz defence is.

[@RobbieTaylor-f8q]

Disappointing but not something that can't be overcome, these coaches are mercenaries with no real attachment to English rugby. RFU / Borthwick should only appointment committed English coaches surely there's enough English talent out there.

[@ianjacobs2998]

He was in South Africa 🇿🇦 for 6 plus yrs?????

[@jmo8934]

I’m sure they had planned to stay through their contracts / the next WC cycle so something must really be amiss behind the scenes.

[@ph5849]

For me, just lost the only exciting coach, who was starting to prove his worth! SB and wigglesworth are not worthy! Are they the best England have=no. Get Shaun Edwards in asap!!

[@ashleybasson5664]

Felix should come back to SA for the triple 😎💪🏽👊🏽

[@neilcarpenter2669]

People are understandably speculating myself including however we don't know why Jones is leaving, the two S and C coaches are leaving for different reasons one because he has been there 10 years and wants to move on or so he said and Walters has a home in Ireland and was obviously offered the Job with the Irish national team, now there may be underlying differences however ultimately Borthwick is the Head Coach and you either back him or sack him. Ps Losing Jones is a blow but he isn't the only good defensive coach and there are top Quality S and C coaches all over the world who could be just as effective, maybe more.

[@kev63inuk]

Now getting over the shock and disappointment I’m getting a bit angry. I don’t believe Steve Bortwick is the issue here. Unless it’s his support of Kevin sinfield and Felix jones felt disrespected with Kev still being around . Either way England have learnt lots under jones and we do have good coaches in England . I would stop jones working anywhere else as we are England and yeah feeling disrespected. But like I said I’m feeling angry right now.

[@citedcanvas85]

Big big blow for England. They were just starting to look fairly good in their last 2 games

[@newwavetvuk859]

@@citedcanvas85 i agree with you on that, but I'd say they looked like a decent attacking team since they beat Ireland, the week after Ireland they lost to France in a battle that looked like it have gone either way. Then whooped japan. Then two games against all blacks we was looking sharp. Alex Mitchell belongs in 9 shirt.. Marcus Smith belongs in ten shirt.. Slade and Lawrence centres Furbank belongs in 15 shirt.. feyi waboso 14 tommy freeman 11 and sleightholme on bench as replacement winger. We sorted in the backs. I just worry about our front row?? We can't keep using Cole and marler we need young talent. I wonder if fin baxter has what it takes?? 4.5. 6,7,and 8 we have plenty of talent. Earl needs to play 6 or seven not keen on him playing 8 Although he's done good job I think we'd be better off with a natural 8 at 8...like dombrant or even better zac mercer

[@kenrehill8775]

The RFU instants the RFU, everyone is scared for the job, the place is infested with politics.

[@peter636]

..Gotta Trim the Fat ..Too many Cooks/Coaches Spoil The Broth ..!! ________________________________

[@richardredmond1463]

Borthwick not cutting it.

[@robertwood6297]

'It''s England's loss

[@Keizer_Soze]

jones is either going to ireland or nz ... 😐

[@nevillepieterse9983]

Or AUs

[@MrRoryG]

​@@Keizer_Soze he's close to Joe Schmidt too, could also be part of the Lions setup or could be defense coach for Ireland while Easterby steps up to head coach role. Be interesting for sure.

[@bodybalanceU2]

maybe he is going to help joe schimdt in Australia

[@davidwalker2402]

This is Bortwick trying to be Eddie Jones both of whom are devoid of any new ideas or a philosophy for rugby. Bortwick last 6 games won 2 one against Ireland last minute at home one against tier 2 nation japan and 4 losses , so he has very little to show from his almost 2 years in charge except coaches leaving in their droves. Maybe time for him to move on….

[@mikegray8776]

Three coaches gone in a month, PLUS super-loyal “man’s man” Kevin Sinfield still on the wobbly list, there is something clearly very wrong behind the scenes. The line has always been that Borthers may be totally awkward in front of the camera, but is a cohesive influence in the dressing room ? Perhaps not?? But this is relatively unprecedented - even by Eddie standards.

[@keegz87]

Perhaps the English boys lack the skillset to play to the style Felix wanted to implement? “This is a waste of time” “We never going to get this right to the standards required” “I’m out!”

[@Bobbydyland]

This. Most of the SA players Felix trained in this weren't the smartest with very little to fall back on outside rugby. ie, the perfect footsoldiers. The England players strike me as being more.... "opinionated" about their training.

[@clemfandango619]

It never felt right. Holding onto someone who wants to go is never a good idea. Gustard to replace Jones?

[@phillipmiga3961]

It was tough for borthwick to work with a world cup winning coach and borthwick is not, I think borthwick still holds a grudge about Felix being one of the mastermind that put his English squad out of the world cup 2023

[@olliegoldsmith54]

What could be the unstable conditions? Borthwick's overbearing Eddie style of management? Slade, leader of the blitz defence out injured for the Autumn internationals. So Jones has to now build again around a new defence leader? His strength and conditioning buddy has moved on and he now feels a bit lonely? He needs to come out and say why he's leaving otherwise he just sounds a bit of a drip. He's an international rugby coach not a deliveroo driver on a zero hours contract.

[@kristian762]

Well, he worked with a world class coaching setup for the last 6 years... maybe he struggled to accept the step down in quality

[@davidwalker2402]

Why should he say anything, if he’s been treated like all the other coaches that are leaving England in their droves it’s more likely not the coaches fault. Bortwick is a man of little vision and is solely depending on what’s going on in other countries and can he replicate it a coach devoid of any of his own ideas. He’s totally unproven on the international circuit and a pawn of Eddie jones, his record as England head coach leaves a lot to be desired in the last 6 games England have won 2 1 against Ireland last minute 1 against a tier 2 nation japan and lost 4 . So no its bortwick and the RFU who should come out and say why they cannot hold on to coaches. This is an English problem not Felix Jones problem…

[@sacredagriculture3745]

We shall know soon enough..Is the problem the RFU or is it Mr. Head Coach...

[@AD-zcvnt]

There's probably a gagging clause?

[@Ophelia771]

Felix was in SA for 6 years, hardly a flake.

[@darranogrady799]

Ha ha England are a joke

[@randomlyfactual1943]

I said this elsewhere. So, dear reader, suspend your disbelief just for a second. Close your eyes, and imagine the World Cup in 2031, the first ever in the USA. Now picture how hard they go after Olympic gold. How their national pride simply won't allow them to be kicked out of the competition early. Also visualise, dear reader, that they have the kind of funds that would blow France, Japan and England out of the water. What I am saying is this: picture a USA team that is taking rugby seriously and is willing to throw huge amounts of money at getting good quick. Now open your eyes, and picture Felix Jones going to the Eagles.

[@daveerasmus4292]

England have brilliant players ,but look at Owen Farell ,some off them have a bad attitude , thats England problem ,thet dont listen to couches

[@oxfletch]

That's my motto. Never listen to a couch.

[@IverKnackerov]

What a stupid comment. Based on what evidence …?

[@nevillepieterse9983]

Farrell not in the team anymore he is playing in France I doubt he the cause

[@neilcarpenter2669]

How do you know have you spoken to any of the coaches in the English set up .

[@dazeng4633]

Jones is a big loss and looks extremely poor on him speaking to his integrity or lack of. Walters not bothered, they didn't look any fitter than other years. Hope RFU holds Jones to his contract but wtf is going on there? Go all out, get Edwards...if they can.