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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 track for back-to-back titles.
Now he finds himself within the opposition camp, striving to stop his residence 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 towards Eire if they’re to maintain their faint championship hopes alive.
That substitute look towards England in 2015 was Jones’ second Six Nations look, and in addition his final. He suffered a neck damage later that yr whereas taking part in for Munster, which compelled the full-back into retirement aged simply 28.
England assault coach Richard Wigglesworth admits the facet weren’t themselves towards Scotland and plan to make huge enhancements as they host Eire subsequent within the Six Nations
His taking part in days have been cruelly lower brief however Jones’ begin in teaching suggests a protracted and affluent profession. The 36-year-old arrived at Twickenham after 4 years with South Africa the place he received two Rugby World Cups, beating England en path to lifting the trophy in each 2019 and 2023.
He has but to style victory towards Eire, nevertheless. The Springboks have been narrowly defeated within the pool levels of final yr’s Rugby World Cup, and it was an identical story when he returned residence to Dublin in November 2022. On each events South Africa have been errant from the tee – had Handre Pollard been at 10 the outcomes might 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 at present the very best sides on this planet, 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 largest concern after their abject efficiency in Edinburgh.
Former Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber pressured that it takes 14 video games to mattress within the defensive system that South Africa have perfected. “In 2018 we received 50 per cent of our Take a look at matches and the bulk we misplaced due to our defence,” he stated. “However in 2019 we solely misplaced one. It takes time.”
Jones received two Rugby World Cups whereas working as an assistant coach with South Africa
The issue for Jones shouldn’t be 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 staff. They’re well-versed on the blitz defence, each in execute and exploit it.
“There are alternatives in assault to take and capitalise on these speeding defenders,” stated Eire centre Robbie Henshaw. “The purpose of the system is to create that chaos, put expertise beneath strain.
“For us, we’ll must be calm, composed and be able to take alternatives once they come.”
John Dennen is joined by Megan Wellens as they talk about 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 additional strain on Jones to shortly develop a tenacious and miserly defence. They received some massive defensive turnovers towards Scotland, just for them to be undone by dealing with errors and poor decision-making from a few of their extra skilled gamers.
England actually possess athletes that would shine in a blitz system however they lack the nous, for now at the least, and Jones’ trigger shouldn’t be helped by the shortage of readability with regards to staff choice. Accidents have actually performed their half however the fixed chopping and altering, notably at half-back and midfield, makes it more durable for everybody to familiarise themselves with – and implement – the brand new system.
Jones received 13 caps for Eire and scored three tries
England will make life tough for Eire at Twickenham and so they have raised their sport towards Andy Farrell’s males in recent times, when pink playing cards proved extraordinarily expensive, however the guests boast the dealing with expertise 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 number of tips up his sleeve, however these sides are at totally different levels 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 look forward to a primary win over Eire and his previous team-mates might go on.
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