Joe El-Abd becomes new England defence coach, joins Steve Borthwick's set-up for Autumn Nations Series
Published 26/09/2024 at 14:16 GMT+1
Ex-player Joe El-Abd has joined England Rugby as a defence coach for the senior men's side ahead of the upcoming Autumn Nations Series. Most recently the director of rugby at Oyonnax, El-Abd will continue at the Pro D2 club for this season while also assisting in Steve Borthwick's coaching set-up. England welcome New Zealand to Twickenham in November for the first match of the series.
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England Rugby have appointed Joe El-Abd as the senior men’s team defence coach ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
El-Abd joins Steve Borthwick’s set-up after spells at Oyonnax and Castres Olympique, most recently as director of rugby with the former.
The 44-year-old will continue as director of rugby at Oyonnax until the close of the 2024/25 season, juggling the twin responsibilities during the Autumn Nations Series and Guinness Six Nations next year and transitioning to solely working for England Rugby at the end of the season.
“I’m delighted to bring in someone with Joe’s expertise to our coaching programme,” said Borthwick. “His knowledge, passion for the game, and proven experience in developing high-performing teams, will be key to the squad’s ongoing development.
"Joe embodies the qualities we value in the England Rugby team and I am sure he will add to our environment and quickly deliver continued improvements to our game.”
El-Abd represented Bath Rugby, Bristol and Toulon during his playing career before moving to Pro D2 side Oyonnax in 2012. Initially working as a player coach, he moved into full-time coaching after two years, responsible for the forwards and defence.
It was a successful spell with the club, who were crowned Pro D2 champions in the 2012/13 season and qualified for the Champions Cup for the first time in 2014/15.
He then moved to Castres Olympique as a forwards and defence coach, spending four years there and coaching the club to a Top 14 title in 2018, before returning to Oyonnax as director of rugby for 2019/20. His most recent accolade with Oyonnax was another Pro D2 title in 2023.
“I feel incredibly honoured to join the England coaching team, and I can’t wait to get started,” he said ahead of this latest move.
“I am excited by the direction in which this England team is headed and where they want to go under Steve’s leadership. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his vision for this team is clear.
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"Defence is a huge part of the game and it’s something I’m extremely passionate about. I am excited by the opportunity to keep developing a defence that will help drive England’s success.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Oyonnax rugby, especially Dougal Bendjaballah for understanding my deep desire to coach the England national team.”
England's first match of the Autumn Nations Series is against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 2 November, before they take on Australia, South Africa and Japan.
Watch and stream every game of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season, the 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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