Big loss: Former Bok coach now ‘transfixing’ England

Big loss: Former Bok coach now ‘transfixing’ England

Recently, former Bok assistant Felix Jones was officially confirmed as England’s new defence coach, after Steve Borthwick announced that Kevin Sinfield is to leave after their 2024 tour of Japan and New Zealand.

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Jones’ move to the England coaching setup was announced in 2023 but the specifics of his new role were only made official later on. The Irishman is fresh from helping South Africa win back-to-back World Cup titles last year, and his tactical and technical knowledge is now being passed on to England.

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Felix Jones now making an immediate impact after Bok coach role

Borthwick told the media that Jones has already made a strong impression during his short time with the squad.

“He’s one of the most intense people I have ever met,” Borthwick was quoted by RugbyPass. “This guy, I don’t know whether he sleeps.

“He has the knowledge. His understanding of the areas of the game: we were sat the other day looking at some stuff on his laptop, where he was picking apart an area of the game.

“Picking it apart, an area of contact. And showing things that I don’t think I’ve ever heard any other coach discuss. So I think he has an incredible work ethic and that knowledge is groundbreaking that he has.”

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Players impressed

Borthwick added that it was clear to see that England players were absorbing the knowledge extremely quickly.

“And when he presented to the players last week, the room was deathly silent. When a coach is presenting up front, I usually come down the sides just to be able to scan across the players.

“Hardly blinking, and transfixed by what he is saying. That ability to do that is superb. So work ethic, incredible knowledge and grasp of concepts and he has the players’ attention.”

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