9 years in the past this weekend, Felix Jones got here off the bench to assist Eire shut out a Six Nations win over England that put them on target for back-to-back titles.
Now he finds himself within the opposition camp, striving to stop his house nation’s march in direction of a second successive Grand Slam.
In what’s simply his fourth sport as England defence coach, Jones is tasked with stymying a well-oiled Irish assault that has scored 45 tries of their final eight video games. England, in the meantime, are licking their wounds following a fourth successive loss to Scotland and should keep away from a fifth straight reverse in opposition to Eire if they’re to maintain their faint championship hopes alive.
That substitute look in opposition to England in 2015 was Jones’ second Six Nations look, and in addition his final. He suffered a neck harm later that yr whereas enjoying for Munster, which pressured the full-back into retirement aged simply 28.
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England assault coach Richard Wigglesworth admits the aspect weren’t themselves in opposition to Scotland and plan to make huge enhancements as they host Eire subsequent within the Six Nations
His enjoying days have been cruelly reduce brief however Jones’ begin in teaching suggests an extended and affluent profession. The 36-year-old arrived at Twickenham after 4 years with South Africa the place he gained two Rugby World Cups, beating England en path to lifting the trophy in each 2019 and 2023.
He has but to style victory in opposition to Eire, nonetheless. The Springboks have been narrowly defeated within the pool phases of final yr’s Rugby World Cup, and it was the same story when he returned house to Dublin in November 2022. On each events South Africa have been errant from the tee – had Handre Pollard been at 10 the outcomes may have simply gone the opposite method.
Jones (left) coached and performed alongside Eire captain Peter O’Mahony (proper) and Conor Murray (centre) at Munster
Whereas South Africa and Eire, together with New Zealand, are presently the most effective sides on the earth, England very a lot stay a piece in progress. Jones introduced South Africa’s blitz defence blueprint with him when he returned to the northern hemisphere however there have been teething issues, though defence was removed from the most important concern after their abject efficiency in Edinburgh.
Former Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber harassed that it takes 14 video games to mattress within the defensive system that South Africa have perfected. “In 2018 we won 50 per cent of our Test matches and the majority we lost because of our defence,” he stated. “But in 2019 we only lost one. It takes time.”
Jones gained two Rugby World Cups whereas working as an assistant coach with South Africa
The issue for Jones isn’t solely the brief period of time he has had with the England squad. His former colleague Nienaber has since pitched up at Leinster, who’re the majority suppliers to the Eire group. They’re well-versed on the blitz defence, each in easy methods to execute and exploit it.
“There are opportunities in attack to take and capitalise on those rushing defenders,” stated Eire centre Robbie Henshaw. “The aim of the system is to create that chaos, put skills under pressure.
“For us, we’ll should be calm, composed and be able to take alternatives after they come.”
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John Dennen is joined by Megan Wellens as they focus on England’s defeat at Murrayfield, and whether or not it was all the way down to pure brilliance from Duhan van der Merwe or a poor sport plan from Steve Borthwick
Given England’s points in assault, there may be further strain on Jones to shortly develop a tenacious and miserly defence. They gained some large defensive turnovers in opposition to Scotland, just for them to be undone by dealing with errors and poor decision-making from a few of their extra skilled gamers.
England definitely possess athletes that might shine in a blitz system however they lack the nous, for now at the very least, and Jones’ trigger isn’t helped by the dearth of readability in relation to group choice. Accidents have definitely performed their half however the fixed chopping and altering, notably at half-back and midfield, makes it tougher for everybody to familiarise themselves with – and implement – the brand new system.
Jones gained 13 caps for Eire and scored three tries
England will make life tough for Eire at Twickenham and so they have raised their sport in opposition to Andy Farrell’s males lately, when pink playing cards proved extraordinarily pricey, however the guests boast the dealing with abilities to get round a rush defence and have loads of kicking choices to show area within the backfield.
Jones has pages of data on Eire and is certain to have a couple of tips up his sleeve, however these sides are at completely different phases of their respective journeys. Whereas England search consistency, Eire are chasing championships.
Jones will show to be a high quality addition to England’s teaching set-up however there could also be some extra struggling required earlier than they start to reap the blitz advantages. His watch for a primary win over Eire and his outdated team-mates may go on.
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