BORTHWICK: BLINDSIDED

Red Roses chief admits he had not 'anticipated' two key backroom staff quitting within days of each other

- ADAM HATHAWAY

ENGLAND head coach Steve Borthwick revealed he was stunned by the bombshell resignations that ripped up his backroom staff.

Defence coach Felix Jones, and strength and conditioning guru Aled Walters, stunned Borthwick by handing in their notice after the summer tour, with Walters (above, right) heading to Ireland.

Borthwick has replaced Jones (above, left), who is working remotely, with Joe El-Abd, and he has not given up on luring Saracens general manager Phil Morrow to fill Walters' role.

Borthwick said: "Aled making a decision to go and join Ireland was a surprise. He talked about wanting a different challenge.

"He made a very personal decision and I wished him well with it not against us, clearly.