Ireland head-coach Joe Schmidt admits that Felix Jones could offer insider knowledge to his new employers South Africa ahead of a potential Rugby World Cup quarter-final between the sides.
Former Munster assistant coach Jones, who was appointed as a defence analyst by the 'Boks this week, was part of the Irish coaching team for the 2017 summer tour of Japan.
With the Pool A winners set to play the second team in Pool B at next month's tournament, Ireland and South Africa are on a potential collision course in the knock-out stages.
“It’s an awkward situation with Felix,” said Schmidt after naming his side to face Wales tomorrow.
“It’s awkward because – you don’t have to be a rocket scientist - he came with us to Japan the last time, so he was right in amongst us. So you don’t really have to ask, do you?
“He was 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, but I’d be a massive fan of what Felix has got to offer in the future, and it will be a great learning experience for him.”
“I just hope that we don’t suffer as a consequence because he’s a smart coach, he already knows a lot about us and, if we do get to a quarter-final it has to be either New Zealand or South Africa or Italy that we do play against. That would mean he could be directly opposite us on the coaching bench.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for him to go to a World Cup with a team that are on a massive upward swing".
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