After an encouraging Six Nations campaign, things have taken a sudden turn for England in recent months.
Steve Borthwick's side fell to a shock home defeat against Australia in one of the most thrilling games of the Autumn Internationals. That was the middle game of a three-game losing streak, with defeats to New Zealand and South Africa capping a thoroughly disappointing November series.
England's poor performances have seen head coach Steve Borthwick coming under increasing scrutiny as the month has progressed. Some England fans have even gone as far as to call for him to be sacked.
There is something of a link in the drop-off in performance from England with the shock departure of Felix Jones as defence coach after less than a year with the side.
Former Ireland international Jones joined up with England after winning a second World Cup as part of South Africa's coaching team last October. His work garnered much attention during the Six Nations and summer tour to New Zealand, before his decision to step aside in August left English rugby stunned.
One legend of the 2003 World Cup-winning team believes Jones' exit has had a deeper impact on the England squad than on the pitch.
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Ben Kay thinks England need to move on fast from Felix Jones
8 March 2024; England defence coach Felix Jones during an England rugby media conference at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Ben Kay started both the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup finals for England. Playing the way they played in November, it will be some time before we see them in a World Cup final again.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Kay said that he was concerned the players were struggling with confidence in training sessions, identifying Felix Jones' exit as a major problem.
Kay said that he felt the players might struggle to trust Jones' replacement Joe El-Abd in utilising a defensive system pioneered by Jones - which he alleges El-Abd is not capable of pulling off.
Ditch the blitz, I’ve got no problem with them trying it but I just don’t think it’s worked. Particularly now they haven’t got Felix Jones, they need to move on from that.
We all know that they’ve changed their defensive style, they’ve got a new coach in, that’s not his bread and butter, coaching of that particular defensive system.
So even in terms of the authenticity for the players, Felix Jones was this advocate of this way of defending, you’ve now got a guy in who the players know is new to this way of defending, so just in terms of selling it to the players is harder.
It might not be too far from the truth from Ben Kay.
At the time of Jones' departure, England stars George Furbank and Fin Smith admitted that they were shocked to see the back of the Irishman.
Steve Borthwick is under pressure to turn things around quick, and it may not be too much to suggest that Felix Jones' departure has had some hand in causing his current woes.
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