"Look, I just asked him was he OK and he is fine. It is what it is. I didn't ask him for detail. I don't think it is my business.

"[I said] Is there anything I can do for you? No, he is busy with whatever he is busy with [for] the RFU. It's his thing."

During his time with England former Ireland international Jones, 37, recreated South Africa's high-speed 'blitz' defence with some success.

England conceded 13 tries in the 2024 Six Nations, compared to 18 in their previous campaign, and two tries in each of their three summer Tests.

Jones' departure followed the exit of England's head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters, who had worked alongside Jones and Nienaber in both the Munster and South Africa set-ups, for a similar job with Ireland a month earlier.