England give ex-Springbok coach the cold shoulder
Yesterday at 07:12 AM
Felix Jones was a central figure at last year's World Cup with the Springboks, but the popular Ireland-born coach then opted to head ‘closer to home’ as he joined England’s coaching set up.
However, he subsequently handed in his resignation less than a year after joining Steve Borthwick's staff, having been part of just one Six Nations campaign and the tour of New Zealand.
The RFU have insisted that Jones is working remotely from Dublin on an "analysis" basis until the season's end, but despite having inside knowledge of the Springboks, he seemingly has not been consulted this week.
Neither assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth nor veteran England centre Henry Slade could clarify his contributions as Engand prepared to face the Springboks this weekend.
"I'm not privy to it so I wouldn't be able to tell you," Wigglesworth admitted. "I don't know [if he is doing analysis]. He's behind the scenes, it's not for me [to say]. For the analysis guys and other people… he was obviously defence and that side of it, so…
“I've not spoken to him. I know he's working for us – behind the scenes that is – but I haven't spoken to him."
Slade added that the players "do not have any contact" with Jones, who is apparently set to join Irish club Munster.
FELIX JONES LEFT THE SPRINGBOKS ALONG WITH JACQUES NIENABER LAST YEAR
After famously winning the World Cup with the Springboks last year, Nienaber opted to further his career at Leinster, where he replaced Stuart Lancaster as a senior coach.
Leinster are currently top of the URC log, with Nienaber having made an instant at the Irish club, where he has received high praise from players and coaches alike.
Although the World Cup winning coach is currently committed to Leinster, it has been reported that he could be roped back in by the Springboks as soon as 2026, when some fans hoped he could reprise a key role ahead of the next global showpiece.
During an interview this week, though, Nienaber said he was extremely happy with his current job position, prompting a few sensational headlines that implied there was no chance of him returning to the Springboks.
After spotting a few misleading headlines after making those comments, Nienaber took to social media in order to clarify his position.
“Hey guys – I was asked yesterday in media about life at Leinster and being a club coach day to day… but headlines can be misleading,” he wrote on X. “It is absolutely the right time for me, my family and my coaching journey, and being tested daily, to be here now.
“But that is not to dismiss what I did before now, what I loved to do before now or to dismiss what might come down the line. But for now, I am happy here at Leinster. My full quotes reflect that. Not the headlines!”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THESE WORLD CUP-WINNING COACHES BACK WITH THE BOKS ONE DAY?
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