Felix Jones Resigns as England’s Defence Coach Amid Backroom Turmoil

In a significant development within the England rugby setup, defence coach Felix Jones has resigned from his position, effective immediately. This news follows the recent departure of Aled Walters, the head of strength and conditioning, who has joined the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Reports indicate that Jones’s resignation stems from dissatisfaction with an unstable working environment within the coaching structure. His brief tenure with the England team saw initial success, including a third-place finish in the 2024 Six Nations after securing three victories.

Jones, a former player who was part of the South African team that clinched the Rugby World Cup in both 2019 and 2023, arrived in England’s camp with much anticipation. His coaching strategies, particularly the introduction of an aggressive blitz defence, started to show promise during the team’s tour of Japan and New Zealand.

Despite his departure, it is understood that Jones’s contract includes a 12-month notice period, which could allow for his continued presence until next summer, should the Rugby Football Union choose to trigger it. The ongoing instability follows Walters’s unexpected move to Ireland, prompting further uncertainty in the England management structure.

Kevin Sinfield, the former rugby league star who was reassigned to a skills coach role to accommodate Jones, remains a key figure. Sinfield’s future within the England setup is also in question as the coaching staff continues to undergo significant changes.

The coaching team prior to Jones’s exit included attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, scrum coach Tom Harrison, and consultant Andrew Strawbridge. Their roles will be tested in the lead-up to upcoming fixtures, including a highly anticipated match against the All Blacks at Twickenham on November 2.