Shocked.

Felix Jones shocked the rugby world this week with his sudden exit from his role with England after less than a year with the RFU.

Jones joined the England coaching team after helping lead South Africa to a second successive Rugby World Cup title in a huge coup for the Rugby Football Union (RFU)

Several factors are said to have influenced his decision to walk out suddenly with reports suggesting that he wwas “unhappy with an unstable working environment”

Aled Walter’s decision to leave suddenly and take up a role with Ireland is also said to have been a factor.

Northampton and England fullback George Furbank admitted that the departure of Jones and Waters will leave a huge hole in the England setup and that the news came as a shock.

“We weren’t expecting it. Nobody really saw it coming. It was a bit of a shock. It was bit of an odd timing,” Furbank said.

“They will be a loss. I loved working with Felix especially. He was a very good coach so he’ll definitely be missed. But I’m sure the people Steve will bring in will do a good job…

“It helped us go from a defence that was ranked fourth or fifth in the world to first or second. We definitely saw massive improvement.”

His England and Saints teammate Fin Smith was just as surprised.

“Really surprising. Definitely, definitely didn’t see it coming. It’s going to be a real shame with those two guys not being around,” he said.

“Aled’s an amazing character and drives so much of the energy in there and Felix is one of the hardest-working coaches and one of the best rugby brains I’ve come across.

“There’s no two ways about it – they’re going to be a big loss. It’s a real shock.”