Felix Jones delivers England fresh hammerblow as defence coach WALKS OUT on Steve Borthwick’s collapsing backroom – as third recent staff exit threatens to undo progress on the pitch

Steve Borthwick‘s bid for long-term success with England has been hit once again after key assistant Felix Jones resigned from his role as defence coach.

Jones follows strength and conditioning supremo Aled Walters – who has joined Ireland – and fitness guru Tom Tombleson in quitting their RFU roles.

At a time when England are showing promising signs of progression on the field, the loss of three of Borthwick’s lieutenants must be considered a serious concern.

Jones’ departure is the biggest blow of the three given he had been tasked with implementing a new blitz defence system.

Jones joined England after helping South Africa to win back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023.

England defence coach and two-time World Cup winner Felix Jones has quit his position 

This is the third recent staff exit for Steve Borthwick, pictured, after Aled Walters and Tom Tombleston

Jones is close to Aled Waters, left, who left the England set-up to join Ireland earlier this month

The Mail on Sunday understands Jones was very close with Walters and that he was hit hard by his departure and has thus decided to follow suit. He also lives in Dublin and has a young family in Ireland.

Jones is understood to have a 12-month notice period on his England deal, one he only joined on seven months ago. That means that contractually, he will be obliged to stay in post for England’s next three campaigns – the four autumn Tests, the 2025 Six Nations, and next summer’s tour of Argentina which is yet to be officially confirmed.

There is, of course, a chance Jones and England could come to an agreement for him to leave prior to that.

With the 2024/25 season set to begin next month, Borthwick now needs a new defence coach. The next steps forward are unclear.

Not only will it be difficult for Borthwick to find a replacement of Jones’ calibre, he will then have to decide how England will operate in defence moving forwards.

Jones’ blitz system – which involves the defensive line rushing up as one – has shown signs of success after a difficult start but is not an easy process to implement.

The recent departures threaten to undermine England’s impressive progress on the pitch 

Jones is unlikely to be short of potential new employers given his career CV. He is likely to be under strong consideration to tour with the British & Irish Lions to Australia next summer – a tour which will be headed up by current Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

Borthwick will now be desperate for Kevin Sinfield, previously England defence coach before he moved aside when Jones arrived, to stay on as part of his team after he had also come close to leaving.