Nienaber: Exiting England Coach Jones Is in Good Spirits.

Posted 16 days ago

Leinster head coach Jacques Nienaber revealed that he has met with England’s departing defense coach Felix Jones socially since Jones was replaced in Steve Borthwick's coaching team.

Nienaber, who collaborated with Felix Jones during South Africa’s successful Rugby World Cup campaigns in 2019 and 2023, shared that they recently met to watch the Springboks win the Rugby Championship title.

Jones resigned from his role as England's defense coach in September after just seven months and is now under a 12-month notice period with the Rugby Football Union.

While Oyonnax head coach Joe El-Abd has been appointed as the new defense coach, Jones will continue to work remotely, focusing on tactical analysis for England.

“We see each other often,” Nienaber told the Irish Independent. “I asked him if he was okay, and he said he is fine. I didn’t pry into details; it’s not my place. I offered to help if he needed anything, but he’s busy with his responsibilities at the RFU.”

During his time with England, the 37-year-old Jones successfully implemented South Africa's fast-paced 'blitz' defense. Under his guidance, England conceded 13 tries in the 2024 Six Nations, an improvement compared to 18 in the previous year, and allowed only two tries in each of their three summer Tests.

Jones’ departure followed that of Aled Walters, England's head of strength and conditioning, who left for a similar role with Ireland a month earlier.