DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 128083--------------------------------------------------
Joe El-Abd to replace Felix Jones as England defence coach
DIR By: ChiddQuin
Date: September 25, 2024, 6:43 am
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/09/24/joe-el-abd-replace-felix-jones-england-defence-coach/
Joe El-Abd, the head coach of French club Oyonnax, is expected
to replace Felix Jones as England’s new defence coach, Telegraph
Sport can reveal.
It is understood that El-Abd, the former Bristol and Toulon
flanker, will take up his post ahead of the autumn Test series
if terms can be agreed between the Rugby Football Union and the
Pro D2 club.
The 44-year-old was interviewed by England head coach Steve
Borthwick last week, along with Stade Français defence coach
Paul Gustard, as part of a two-man shortlist and has now been
offered the job.
Borthwick has a long-standing relationship with El-Abd. The pair
were flatmates at the University of Bath and Borthwick was an
usher at El-Abd’s wedding. The tightness of their relationship
is important, given the shock caused by the departures of Jones
and Aled Walters, the head of strength and conditioning, who
resigned to take up a job with Ireland.
El-Abd is thought to be committed to continuing with the blitz
defence that Jones introduced this year and which was starting
to bear fruit.
Jones is currently working his 12-month notice period having
tendered his resignation last month just eight games since
joining Borthwick’s management team from South Africa, where he
played a key role in successive World Cup triumphs with the
Springboks.
The timing of Jones’ resignation so close to the start of the
new season was far from ideal in terms of recruiting a
replacement but Borthwick has moved quickly to appoint a
successor.
El-Abd is highly regarded for his work at the Oyonnax, where he
was appointed head coach last year having worked as an assistant
coach for a number of years following his retirement from
playing in 2014. He was also defence coach at Castres when they
won the French league title in 2018 and is thought to have had
head-coach offers from Top 14 clubs for next season.
Gustard, who was England defence coach under previous head coach
Eddie Jones between 2016-18, also had a strong case for the job
given his wealth of experience and previous strong working
relationship with Borthwick.
The pair worked closely together when Gustard was forwards coach
during a seven-year stint at Saracens and Borthwick was club
captain.
Telegraph Sport revealed earlier in the month that Borthwick had
appointed Gloucester’s head of performance Dan Tobin to his
backroom staff following the departures of Walters and Tom
Tombleson, who left after a restructuring of the strength and
conditioning department.
A former 400 metres runner, who was Leinster’s head of fitness
for a decade before moving to Kingsholm in 2016, Tobin was
described by one source as a major asset to Gloucester.
The RFU also hopes to agree a new deal with Kevin Sinfield to
remain as part of the management group on a part-time basis in a
mentoring and skills role, with an agreement expected to be
reached later this week.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1