Boks about to lose another World Cup-winning coach?

NEWS: Rassie Erasmus’ World Cup-winning coaching panel is set to lose another member.

Felix Jones, a former Ireland and Munster utility back, has been linked to a move to Gloucester in the Premiership.

It was described as a ‘massive coup’ when Erasmus convinced Jones to join his panel as a ‘defence consultant’ ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

Reports in the United Kingdom media suggested the 32-year-old Jones is on Gloucester’s shortlist to become defence coach with the Cherry and Whites.

Jones, subsequently appointed as a European-based ‘consultant’ by Erasmus, will be the second member of the Bok coaching panel to take up a new job in the UK.

Aled Walters, the head of athletic performance, has joined Leicester Tigers during the COVID-19-enforced lockdown earlier this year.

Walters spent the past two years with the Springboks, having teamed up with Erasmus following their time together with Munster.

The loss of Jones and Waters are body blows to the coaching panel – which will be headed by Jacques Nienaber, after taking over from Erasmus in January.

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South Africa announced at the start of this year that Jones will remain part of their coaching team in 2020.

However, his role has shifted to become ‘a European-based coaching consultant’, meaning he and his young family will not have to uproot and move to South Africa.

The Rugby Paper reports that the Cherry and Whites have two people in mind to become the new defence coach when the Premiership returns next month.

Gloucester parted company with defence coach Jonny Bell last month.

Jones and Newcastle Falcons coach Dom Waldouck is said to be the frontrunners.

Waldouck is a close friend of Danny Cipriani.

Sources: Limerick Leader & Rugby Paper