England assistant coach quit to join international rivals with immediate effect
Rugby NewsTuesday, 22 April 2025 at 06:59
Felix Jones is heading back to South Africa ahead of The Rugby Championship. The Irishman will reunite with Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks, as SA Rugby has confirmed his return.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Jones, a key part of South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs, spent 2024 with England before calling it quit earlier this year after a chaotic year under Steve Borthwick.
He resigned in December, reportedly frustrated with an “unstable working environment.”
Rassie welcomes Jones back
Now, he’s back where he made his name. Erasmus unveiled his new-look management team on Thursday, with Jones joining as an assistant coach alongside new appointments Lance Lemmetjies (physiotherapist) and Robyn Moore (team dietician).
“We are delighted to welcome Felix back,” said Erasmus. “He was a vital cog in our 2019 and 2023 World Cup wins, and his experience will be invaluable as we build towards Australia 2027.”
Erasmus also hinted that Jones’ time with England could be a secret weapon for the Springboks:
“After spending time in the UK, his knowledge of Six Nations teams and international opposition will help us improve as we prepare for a massive season ahead.”
Jones now slots into a coaching group that includes Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown, with the Springboks looking to cement their status as the world’s No.1 team.
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5 Big-Name Stars Set to Miss Out on the Lions Squad – Including Finn Russell!
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement just around the corner, the rumour mill is already in overdrive. Andy Farrell’s selection promises to be one of the boldest in recent history—and not everyone is safe.
While some players have all but booked their tickets to Australia, others are sweating bullets. Whether it’s poor form, fierce competition, or a coach with long memories, a few major names could be on the chopping block.
Here are five shock omissions we
think are on the cards—and why their Lions dreams might be dead before the squad is even named…
1. Russell's Rollercoaster Could Crash Early
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Moments of magic? Always. But consistency? Not so much. Russell’s 2025 Six Nations was a mixed bag at best. A missed conversion against England and a disastrous showing versus France have left serious questions about his big-game temperament.
Add in the appointment of Johnny Sexton as Lions assistant coach, and things start looking bleak. In his autobiography, Sexton slammed Russell’s 2021 selection as a media-driven hype job—and he hasn’t softened since.
“If you want someone reliable in the trenches, you go with Owen Farrell,” Sexton recently told The Times, taking a not-so-subtle dig at Russell’s “flashy” style. He even spared Marcus Smith, calling him a “generational talent.” Finn? Not so lucky.
2. Ringrose Running Out of Time
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Not long ago, Ringrose looked like a nailed-on Lion. But a rocky Six Nations campaign could have sunk his chances. He was solid in Ireland’s first couple of games, then saw red against Wales and missed the crunch clash with France. His return against Italy? Ropey.
He’s still a classy operator on his day, but with Farrell spoiled for choice in the midfield, Ringrose may find himself edged out by younger, more in-form options.
3. Slade Slide May Prove Terminal
Henry Slade (England)
Once considered one of England’s most gifted backs, Slade’s stock has taken a major hit. His partnership with Ollie Lawrence was under heavy scrutiny heading into the Six Nations—and despite some signs of improvement, it didn’t last.
Fraser Dingwall took his place in the England squad, and now Slade’s international future—and Lions hopes—look grim. Having already missed out on the 2023 World Cup, the Exeter man may once again fall victim to poor form at the worst possible time.
4. Ritchie Rich... But Is It Enough?
Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
He was one of Scotland’s top performers in the Six Nations—but that might not be enough. The Lions back-row battle is absolutely brutal this year, and with Jack Willis tearing it up in France, Farrell might favour more dominant ball-carriers and jackalers.
Ritchie has leadership and work rate in spades, but he could become the unlucky victim of ridiculous depth in one of the tour’s most hotly contested positions.
5. O'Mahony's Last Dance Could Be In The Studio
Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
The veteran flanker rolled back the years against Scotland, delivering one of the performances of the tournament—but that flash of vintage POM might have been his swan song. His form faded fast, and a tough showing against France left fans wondering if the tank’s finally empty.
He’s since hung up his boots for Ireland, and unless Farrell is picking on nostalgia, O'Mahony is more likely to be analysing Lions games for Sky Sports than playing in them.
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
Let’s see if you can nail this quiz and prove you’re a true rugby expert. Ready? Let’s go!
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