Felix Jones confirmed as defence coach in Borthwick's new England set-up

Felix Jones was part of the South African coaching ticket as Coaching Consultant since 2019 which saw the Springboks win back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. 

DEFENCE COACH: Felix Jones joins Steve Borthwick's coaching set up as defence coach. 

England head coach Steve Borthwick has finalised his back room team for 2024, adding Felix Jones to the set up from South Africa while Andrew Strawbridge joins on a short term basis after his recent stint with the All Blacks.

Jones will be responsible for the England defence with Kevin Sinfield moving to coaching individual skills and the kickers. Jones has been part of the South African coaching ticket as Coaching Consultant since 2019 which saw the Springboks win back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. 

Sinfield has confirmed he will step down as Borthwick's England number two after the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand. The 43-year-old will remain in place for the Six Nations and the three Tests arranged for June and July, but in a new role overseeing skills and kicking with the incoming former Munster man Jones taking charge of the defence.

Borthwick declined to disclose any details over Sinfield's future plans in the first backroom reshuffle of his year-long reign.

"Kev made the decision over what he wanted to do," Borthwick said. "At the end of the World Cup, there was space for every member of the management to reflect as we look ahead to the next World Cup cycle.

"After a big tournament like the World Cup, every member of the management team needed the opportunity to relax, decompress, reflect and spend some time with friends and family.

"A couple of weeks later, Kev and I met and he gave me his decision. Kev's decided that longer-term he's going to head in a different direction away from the England rugby team. Ahead of the autumn series, Kev will not work with the team then, he will move away from the team and in a different direction."

England endured a challenging Six Nations with the lowest ebb being a record defeat at Twickenham in March, with France breaching Sinfield's defence seven times in a 53-10 rout.

Former Ireland international Jones takes responsibility for the defence after being recruited from South Africa, having contributed to their triumphant back-to-back World Cup campaigns.

Strawbridge, New Zealand's skills coach at France 2023, has been appointed as a consultant for the opening four weeks of the Six Nations.

"If you look at our coaching team now, you've got a lot of knowledge of the Premiership, people who coached in the Premiership less than 12 months ago," Borthwick said. "Richard Wigglesworth was playing in the Premiership just over a year ago. We've got a lot of knowledge of the Premiership and of European rugby.

"Felix has knowledge of the Irish system and the South African system. Andrew joining is brings us the knowledge he has of New Zealand and Super Rugby. That's an exciting blend of coaches and knowledge that we've brought together."

Jones played for Munster from 2009-2015 earning 90 caps and played on 13 occasions for Ireland. Jones started his coaching career as technical coach for Munster from 2016-17 and moved onto Backs coach from 2017-19.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has added to his coaching group ahead of the 2024 @SixNationsRugby. 🏉

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— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 4, 2024

Strawbridge will join the set up as consultant coach for the first four weeks of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. The 59-year-old Kiwi was part of the All Blacks coaching ticket as skills consultant during and helped them to the silver medal at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“Andrew is another coach with a wealth of knowledge,” said Borthwick. “He has worked extensively and successfully in Super Rugby and international rugby, most recently with New Zealand to help them to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“Andrew has an incredible reputation in player development and has helped a large number of players progress to be amongst the best in the world. His work around the contact area is incredibly highly regarded, ensuring teams have the quick ball needed to launch a threatening attack.

“I can’t wait for him to join the team and add the enormous value that I know he will bring.”