Felix Jones is free to start work for a club team or Tier Two international side immediately if he so chooses after the RFU announced he’s left his role with England.
However, the former Ireland full-back will not be allowed to work with his home country during the Six Nations under the terms of his release.
Having joined the England coaching ticket as assistant coach after last year’s World Cup, Jones informed Steve Borthwick of his shock decision to leave his role last summer.
The union initially held him to his notice period and he was officially an analyst during the November internationals — even if players said they had no contact with the ex-Springbok assistant coach.
The RFU announced that Jones has left his position in a terse 22-word statement.
“The RFU can confirm that England Rugby men’s assistant coach Felix Jones will step down from his role on Friday 13 December,” it read.
“The terms of his departure prevent Jones from working with any Tier One team until Tuesday 1 April 2025. During this period, he is permitted to work with any club or any Tier Two international team and below, should he choose to do so.”
Jones has kept his counsel on his future intentions and he will not be short of suitors, having built a big reputation as a coach since he was forced to retire.
He has been repeatedly linked a return to Munster, where he started his coaching career, but Mike Prendergast remains the strong favourite for the vacant head coach’s job.
The IRFU are keen to have a senior figure as part of the coaching ticket and former Northampton and Hurricanes boss Chris Boyd has come on board as a short-term consultant.
It appears more likely that Jones will be brought on board Andy Farrell’s Lions coaching ticket and then it remains to be seen if the IRFU can find a role that would attract the highly regarded 37-year-old home.
Wales will also be interested in his services as they consider a coaching reshuffle with Warren Gatland moving upstairs.
Ireland’s interim coach Simon Easterby is another figure who has his admirers in the principality where he lives with his family.
He played under Gatland and could be tempted by the idea of a head coach’s role, opening the door for a potential Jones return.
There will be plenty of interest from South Africa given the regard in which Jones is held in there after his success under Rassie Erasmus, but it is unknown whether he’d be willing to relocate his family to the Rainbow Nation.