England defence coach Jones quits after seven months

England defence coach Felix Jones has go nan latest cardinal fig to discontinue Steve Borthwick’s set-up.

It comes aft spot and conditioning guru Aled Walters near to subordinate Ireland.

It is understood Jones has a 12-month announcement play successful his Rugby Football Union contract.

But it is believed he has handed successful his resignation aft conscionable 7 months successful nan role.

The 37-year-old joined England's coaching set-up aft past autumn's World Cup, having helped South Africa go back-to-back world champions.

The Rugby Football Union is not commenting connected Jones' situation, but his determination will travel arsenic a awesome setback, particularly successful nan aftermath of Walters' departure.

The brace worked together astatine Munster and South Africa and are known to beryllium very close.

Former Ireland world Jones, 37, has forged a singular coaching profession to day having won 2 Rugby World Cups pinch nan Springboks, successful 2019 and 2023.

Since replacing Kevin Sinfield arsenic defence coach successful January, Jones has been responsible for revolutionising England's attack without nan shot by introducing an fierce blitz defence, and was considered a captious portion of nan coaching summons going forward.

Meanwhile, Sinfield's position is uncertain aft he primitively announced his volition to time off this summer, conscionable 18-months into a five-year contract.

However, Borthwick confirmed pursuing nan caller circuit of New Zealand that Sinfield is expected to enactment arsenic a part-time skills coach.

Even though Jones is thought to beryllium nether statement for nan adjacent year, Borthwick will now beryllium connected nan look retired for a caller defence coach.

The England leader besides has to enlistee a full caller spot and conditioning section aft Walters and Tom Tombleson some near their roles this month.