- Jones quit England despite only working under Borthwick for just seven months
- The England coach has moved to bring in his old university friend Joe El-Abd
- El-Abd currently works as head coach of French second division side Oyonnax
Steve Borthwick is close to appointing his old university housemate Joe El-Abd as England’s new defence coach.
England are on the hunt for a replacement for Felix Jones, who shocked the RFU last month when he informed Borthwick of his intention to quit just eight games into his role.
Jones, a double World Cup winner with South Africa, is serving a 12-month notice period and is a candidate to be part of next year’s British and Irish Lions coaching staff.
His exit swiftly followed that of England’s head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters, who has left to join rivals Irland.
With the new season underway and England’s November Tests looming, Borthwick has moved to bring El-Abd on board.
Steve Borthwick wants to bring in his old university housemate Joe El-Abd as defence coach
Felix Jones left the role in August becoming the third backroom staff member to leave England
El-Abd is currently head coach of French second division side Oyonnax.
Dougal Bendjaballah, Oyonnax’s president, has insisted his team won’t led El-Abd go, but a move looks likely if the RFU can agree compensation with the PROD2 outfit.
