No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks

England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

- Robert Kitson

England's senior assistant coach, Richard Wigglesworth said he had not spoken to Jones and the players also say they have received no input from him before Saturday's big game against South Africa. Jones handed in his resignation as defence coach after the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand but has not yet been formally released from his RFU contract.

Steve Borthwick said last month Jones, who has been replaced as defensive guru by Joe El-Abd, would be analysing and studying opponents from home but Wigglesworth and the centre Henry Slade both indicated they had seen little sign of it.

"I've not spoken to him," said Wigglesworth, who previously worked closely with the former Ireland international. "I don't know [if he has been delivering analysis packages]. I'm sure [his knowledge of South Africa] has been tapped into but their coaches have [also] changed since he was there. They're playing a slightly different style."