BLINDSIDED

Bombshell exits caught Borthwick by surprise

- Adam Hathaway

STEVE BORTHWICK revealed he was stunned by bombshell resignations that ripped up his backroom staff.

Defence coach Felix Jones and strength and conditioning guru Aled Walters stunned England's head coach by handing in their notice after the summer tour to New Zealand and Japan.

Jones, who is working remotely, has been replaced by Joe El-Abd while England have not given up on luring Saracens general manager Phil Morrow to fill Walters' role.

But Borthwick admitted he felt let down and was caught unawares by the pair leaving.

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