The Rugby Football Union has given its 100% backing to Steve Borthwick after the sudden resignations of Felix Jones and Aled Walters with the chief executive, Bill Sweeney, refuting suggestions of an “unstable working environment”.
Confirming publicly Jones’s decision to quit after just eight months, Sweeney admitted he was blindsided by the defence coach’s resignation as well as Walters’s departure to Ireland and, evidently happy to make his views clear, described the double blow as “deeply disappointing”.
Both resignations will be felt keenly, Walters is a popular figure with the players and Jones introduced a blitz defence that has already reaped rewards. The latter was said to have reservations over the environment Borthwick had cultivated at England, but Sweeney was adamant that the head coach has the players’ full backing and insisted the current upheaval was markedly different to the regular turnover of assistants under Eddie Jones.
“I don’t think it is an unstable environment,” Sweeney said. “It’s not correct to compare this situation with the previous regime. I don’t believe the circumstances are the same. It’s a completely different situation. It’s a valid question, and of course we should be concerned, are concerned and get involved in it, but it’s not right to compare the two situations.
“It [Jones’s resignation] came out of the blue. It was totally unexpected. What I can say, though, is that Steve has absolute 100% support from us – from me personally and of the RFU. I can also say categorically he has the full support, 100%, of the squad.
“If you talk to the players, they were quite keen to deliver a message that they’ve got a really enjoyable camp. They seem to genuinely enjoy being in camp and they want to ensure we’ve got coaches coming in who are passionate about our journey, will buy into this new structure, and are committed to working for England.
“We are deeply disappointed that this has taken place with no indication that this was going to happen. I think the fact that a number of players have publicly said that they have had their own internal meetings and said they couldn’t see this coming and the environment is fine. It is very disappointing. I feel for Steve. Steve has made some choices and has brought some people in and I feel for him at the moment.”
Unlike Walters, Jones does not appear to have a job lined up and, though Sweeney would not speculate on the reasons behind his departure, he confirmed the Irishman has a 12-month notice period. It is unclear whether he will see it out in its entirety, but replacing Walters is the No 1 priority for Borthwick with Sweeney insisting England can still secure world‑class coaches despite the recent turmoil.
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“We can absolutely attract the best possible talent to come into the England setup,” he said.
Meanwhile Kevin Sinfield, who served as defence coach up until the World Cup last year before continuing as skills coach, is close to agreeing to new deal. It was said he had planned to stand down after the tournament in France but is now expected to remain on a consultancy basis. “I expect him to be through with us to the next World Cup,” the RFU director of performance, Conor O’Shea said.