England assistant coach quit to join international rivals with immediate effect
04/22/2025 01:59 AM
Felix Jones is heading back to South Africa ahead of The Rugby Championship. The Irishman will reunite with Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks, as SA Rugby has confirmed his return.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Jones, a key part of South Africa's back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs, spent 2024 with England before calling it quit earlier this year after a chaotic year under Steve Borthwick.
He resigned in December, reportedly frustrated with an "unstable working environment."
Rassie welcomes Jones back
Now, he's back where he made his name. Erasmus unveiled his new-look management team on Thursday, with Jones joining as an assistant coach alongside new appointments Lance Lemmetjies (physiotherapist) and Robyn Moore (team dietician).
"We are delighted to welcome Felix back," said Erasmus. "He was a vital cog in our 2019 and 2023 World Cup wins, and his experience will be invaluable as we build towards Australia 2027."
Erasmus also hinted that Jones' time with England could be a secret weapon for the Springboks:
"After spending time in the UK, his knowledge of Six Nations teams and international opposition will help us improve as we prepare for a massive season ahead."
Jones now slots into a coaching group that includes Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown, with the Springboks looking to cement their status as the world's No.1 team.
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5 Big-Name Stars Set to Miss Out on the Lions Squad – Including Finn Russell!
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement just around the corner, the rumour mill is already in overdrive. Andy Farrell's selection promises to be one of the boldest in recent history—and not everyone is safe.
While some players have all but booked their tickets to Australia, others are sweating bullets. Whether it's poor form, fierce competition, or a coach with long memories, a few major names could be on the chopping block.
Here are five shock omissions we think are on the cards—and why their Lions dreams might be dead before the squad is even named…
1. Russell’s Rollercoaster Could Crash Early
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Moments of magic? Always. But consistency? Not so much. Russell's 2025 Six Nations was a mixed bag at best. A missed conversion against England and a disastrous showing versus France have left serious questions about his big-game temperament.
Add in the appointment of Johnny Sexton as Lions assistant coach, and things start looking bleak. In his autobiography, Sexton slammed Russell's 2021 selection as a media-driven hype job—and he hasn't softened since.
"If you want someone reliable in the trenches, you go with Owen Farrell," Sexton recently told The Times, taking a not-so-subtle dig at Russell's "flashy" style. He even spared Marcus Smith, calling him a "generational talent." Finn? Not so lucky.
2. Ringrose Running Out of Time
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Not long ago, Ringrose looked like a nailed-on Lion. But a rocky Six Nations campaign could have sunk his chances. He was solid in Ireland's first couple of games, then saw red against Wales and missed the crunch clash with France. His return against Italy? Ropey.
He's still a classy operator on his day, but with Farrell spoiled for choice in the midfield, Ringrose may find himself edged out by younger, more in-form options.
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