Former Munster fullback and assistant coach Felix Jones is set to join Steve Borthwick's staff as the assistant coach of the England rugby team. The 35-year-old played for Munster from 2009 t0 2015. He has since established himself as one of the best young coaches in the game and in 2019, joined South Africa as coaching consultant for the triumphant World Cup run
It's a major coup for Steve Borthwick as he attempts to rebuild an England side which have won two games in each of the last two Six Nations.
The news was confirmed by the Springboks social media department in a statement.
#Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones, who is due to leave SA Rugby later this year, is still fully committed to the Boks' #RWC2023 cause - more here: https://t.co/9A3s6NjLBA 👍#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/E49HTxAZMP
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 30, 2023
The Dublin native will join the English team after the 2023 World Cup as assistant coach. He'll join up with his former Munster and South Africa colleague Aled Walters, who was named England's strength and conditioning coach last month.
9 January 2018; Backline and attack coach Felix Jones and head of athletic performance Aled Walters in conversation during Munster Rugby squad training at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
Rassie Erasmus reacted to this decision by saying:
While we are saddened by the decision, we know how difficult it was for him to make that call and we fully understand the reasons.
He later praised Jones' coaching skills:
He's been an asset to the Springboks in the last few years and the way he has evolved in his role and willingly took on additional responsibilities to ensure that the team functioned as optimally as possible in his areas of expertise, has been admirable.
There was much talk of Ronan O'Gara succeeding Eddie Jones as England manager. That ship has sailed but one of the best young Irish coaches in world rugby will be playing a major role with the England team.
SEE ALSO: South Africa Captain Lavishes Incredible Praise On Ireland After Six Nations Triumph
