Schmidt: Jones move to Boks is ‘awkward’

JOE SCHMIDT has admitted the move of Felix Jones to South Africa ahead of the World Cup is ‘awkward’, given he toured Japan as part of Schmidt’s backroom team two years ago. With South Africa a potential quarter-final opponent for Ireland, Jones possesses what Schmidt described as ‘great knowledge’ of the Irish squad to go with all of the information Rassie Erasmus already possesses on the Irish team. It’s one more complication ahead of tomorrow’s third warm-up Test, against Wales in Cardiff, with Warren Gatland predictably trying to stir more troubles for Ireland. Schmidt has given Jack Carty his first start at out half and, in the absence of a replacement No10 among the replacements, Will Addison will provide cover from full back, and Garry Ringrose off the bench. It all means that Ross Byrne’s hopes of going to Japan look grim. Schmidt must submit his squad of 31 by Monday next but, in keeping with the extraordinary emphasis this set-up places on secrecy, the squad will not be named publicly until later, possibly after the final warm-up match against Wales on September 7. ‘It’s an awkward situation

with Felix,’ said Schmidt in reaction to news of Jones’s move, after his abrupt departure from Munster at the end of last season. ‘I had a long chat with him yesterday. It’s a fantastic opportunity for him to go to a World Cup with a team that are on a massive upward swing. ‘He’s been with us, he’s seen everything that we deliver, and would have a great knowledge of even the language we use in our camp. So it’s awkward for us. ‘There were a couple of opportunities here,’ revealed Schmidt, apparently a reference to the Irish system, ‘but I’d be a massive fan of what Felix has got to offer in the future and it would be a great learning experience for him. I just hope we don’t suffer as a consequence, because he is a smart coach. ‘He already knows a lot about us. ‘I just hope he delays that by a couple of months and he’s pretty average for the next two months. That would be good.’ Gatland, meanwhile, made one more attempt at mindgames, a tactic he pursues enthusiastically but with decidedly mixed results. ‘They are under an enormous amount of pressure back home with a lot of criticism, given that they haven’t progressed in World Cups further than they probably would have expected,’ he said at the announcement of the Welsh team. ‘There are a lot of doubts in the coaches’ minds about who their best players are,’ he claimed. ‘Some of their players are getting a bit older. Is it a time to put some of the youngsters in? It’s a massive game for Ireland that will answer a lot of questions.’