Felix Jones’ Shock Departure Leaves England in Turmoil Ahead of Rugby World Cup

The sudden resignation of Felix Jones as England's defence coach has left Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Bill Sweeney expressing deep disappointment, just seven months after Jones joined Steve Borthwick’s coaching team. The Irishman, who played a key role in South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs, had been pivotal in reshaping England’s defensive strategy, introducing a Springbok-style blitz defence.

Jones, 37, stepped down unexpectedly, leaving the RFU scrambling to fill the vacancy ahead of the 2024 Rugby World Cup. "Felix’s resignation came out of the blue," Sweeney said, acknowledging the shock within the England camp. "It has been deeply disappointing, and I won't hide that."

Under Jones' guidance, England made significant improvements in defence, conceding only 13 tries in the 2024 Six Nations, down from 18 in the same tournament a year earlier. His methods had instilled new energy within the team, and there had been noticeable momentum after England's performances against New Zealand and in the latter stages of the Six Nations.

Jones’ departure comes as a major setback, particularly given that Borthwick's backroom team has already been thinned by the exits of head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters and his colleague Tom Tombleson earlier this summer. Meanwhile, doubts linger over the future of Kevin Sinfield, who was initially appointed as defence coach on a five-year contract. Sinfield has since transitioned into a skills role, but his long-term commitment to the England setup remains uncertain. Sweeney acknowledged the uncertainty but remained tight-lipped on Sinfield’s future, stating it was "too early" for announcements.

"We have a great squad of players, a blend of experience and young talent, and the mood in the camp has been great," Sweeney said. "It was totally unexpected, but these things happen in sport, and we will move on and make the necessary changes to rectify it."

Jones’ decision to step down leaves England in a precarious position as they prepare for their World Cup campaign. The RFU will be forced to accelerate their recruitment process, with Northampton defence coach Lee Radford and Oyonnax head coach Joe El-Abd reportedly among the candidates under consideration.

Jones, who was on a 12-month contract, remains committed to England for the remainder of his deal, but discussions about a transition period are ongoing. Sweeney assured fans that the RFU is working swiftly to find a solution, though he acknowledged that "some of the decisions that have to be taken may take a bit of time."

As England's World Cup preparations continue, the RFU will need to act fast to ensure the stability of Borthwick's coaching team. With several key roles still unfilled, the pressure is on to maintain the momentum and focus that has been built under Jones' tenure.