NEWS: Felix Jones is officially no longer a Rugby Football Union (RFU) employee after he was finally allowed to quit on Friday as Steve Borthwick’s England team defence coach.

It was last August when it emerged that the Irishman, a double World Cup winner with South Africa, wanted to leave just eight matches into his new job.

Jones came on board Borthwick’s staff at the start of the 2024 Six Nations but just weeks after the three-match tour to Japan and New Zealand had ended, it was revealed that he wanted out after just eight months.

The RFU didn’t accede to Jones’ request at the time, deciding instead to make him work out his notice period remotely away from Borthwick’s squad.

With Joe El-Abd appointed defence coach, Jones was tasked with providing analysis on England’s opposition but there was confusion last month during the Nations Series as to whether he was still working as attack coach Richard Wigglesworth admitted in the week of the South Africa match that he had no contact with Jones.

A Friday statement finally confirming Jones’ exit read: “The RFU can confirm that England Rugby men’s assistant coach Felix Jones will step down from his role today [Friday, December 13).”

The decision last August by Jones to quit created shockwaves as he had no alternative job lined up. He has since been linked with the head coach vacancy in Munster following the late October departure of Graham Rowntree.

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I’m disappointed that you are comparing me with Rassie Erasmus!” said  boss Franco Smith. Springboks guru Rassie Erasmus is the real copycat.

Hooker Jonny Matthews is among the Glasgow Warriors ‘bomb squad’ for the match against Toulon.Hooker Jonny Matthews is among the Glasgow Warriors ‘bomb squad’ for the match against Toulon.

Hooker Jonny Matthews is among the Glasgow Warriors ‘bomb squad’ for the match against Toulon. | SNS Group / SRU

That’s a tactic utilised regularly by Erasmus and the Springboks, as witnessed in the Autumn Series Test at Murrayfield when he named a 7-1 bench split and brought on a half-dozen forwards in one switch. Smith, though, smiled that he was the original thinker on this one rather than his countryman.

“I’m disappointed that you are comparing me with Rassie Erasmus!” said the Warriors head coach. “I think we’ve shown over the last two-and-a-half years that he’s copying us, isn’t he?

“I said from the start [of his Warriors tenure]l that muy philosophy is to pick the players that are going to be on the field in the last 20 minutes first. That is the part of the game where nobody goes to the fridge to get another beer.

“At the same time, it allows us to rotate the squad with an eye on the numerous high-quality games that are still to come. But this is not the bomb squad being copied. I think the bomb squad was copied from us!”

There is rotation among the backs, too, including a rare start for scrum-half Ben Afshar, with Jamie Dobie utilised on the wing and Sebastian Cancelliere rested.

“Ben has proved to ourselves and to himself that he is ready for a big challenge,” explained Smith. “I think he is a quality rugby player. Like I did with Gregory Hiddleston against Exeter a year ago, it’s an important game for him. He’s worked hard and I’m excited to see what he can do.”

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith.Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith. | SNS Group

Stade Mayol has a reputation as one of the most intimidating venues in European rugby and Smith expects Toulon to be buoyant after opening their Champions Cup campaign with a win away to the Stormers.

“We know that the environment is hostile there,” added Smith, who has rested Huw Jones due to an MCL (medial collateral ligament) issue. “The crowd is very loud. They will be very energetic and eager to get a job done after a big win on the road.

“We understand that they are going to be a real challenge at home and it also makes them favourites in my point of view. They’ve gone a long way in this competition before. They’ve won it and their fans will know that. We’re going to try and be the best we can as well. We’re looking forward to a tough challenge.”