Felix Jones can be allowed by the Rugby Soccer Union to hitch the British & Irish Lions teaching workers subsequent summer season regardless of being instructed to proceed working his discover remotely after Joe El-Abd’s appointment as England’s defence coach.
The RFU has confirmed El-Abd will take over from Jones for the autumn internationals however will proceed in his position as head coach of Oyonnax till the top of the season.
Jones has been pushed to the margins by Steve Borthwick and won’t be in camp through the autumn, as a substitute offering distant assist. The Irishman’s resignation blindsided the RFU in August, eight months into the job, with the union’s chief govt, Invoice Sweeney, admitting he was “deeply disenchanted”.
Jones has a 12-month discover interval and the RFU would demand vital compensation if he desires to take up a everlasting place elsewhere earlier than it expires. Consequently, he may stay in his distant England position till subsequent August however, ought to that be the case and regardless of the plain frustration along with his resignation, it’s understood the RFU wouldn’t search to face in his method if Andy Farrell desires to second him to the Lions tour of Australia, which begins in June.
Jones should be thought of among the many favourites for a Lions assistant teaching publish given his pedigree as a two-times World Cup winner with South Africa. All of the extra so on condition that Farrell’s defence coach with Eire, Simon Easterby, will take cost of the world’s No 1 facet over the summer season moderately than come into consideration for the Lions.
El-Abd is not going to start working completely for England till the summer season however it’s understood he will probably be full-time through the autumn and Six Nations, moderately than splitting his commitments with Oyonnax throughout worldwide home windows. He’s an in depth ally of Borthwick’s – the pair shared a flat collectively whereas at Bathtub college – and although he’s coming from the second tier of French rugby, he has various admirers on the RFU.
After a summer season of upheaval with the top of energy and conditioning, Aled Walters, quitting to hitch Eire, Borthwick stated: “Joe embodies the qualities we worth within the England rugby group and am I positive he’ll add to our surroundings and shortly ship continued enhancements to our sport.
“I’m delighted to herald somebody with Joe’s experience to our teaching programme. His information, ardour for the sport, and confirmed expertise in creating high-performing groups, will probably be key to the squad’s ongoing improvement.”
Having completed his taking part in profession at Oyonnax in 2014, El-Abd joined the membership’s teaching workers, initially as forwards coach. After a yr he moved to Castres earlier than returning to Oyonnax to take over as head coach in 2019. The 44-year-old additionally served as defence coach for an England XV towards the Barbarians in 2019 when Eddie Jones handed the reins to Jim Mallinder.
It’s stated he’s dedicated to persevering with with the ultra-aggressive blitz defence system launched by Felix Jones with England welcoming New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan to the Allianz stadium in November.
“I really feel extremely honoured to hitch the England teaching group, and I can’t wait to get began,” stated El-Abd. “I’m excited by the path during which this England group is headed and the place they wish to go below Steve’s management. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his imaginative and prescient for this group is evident.
“Defence is a big a part of the sport and it’s one thing I’m extraordinarily captivated with. I’m excited by the chance to maintain creating a defence that can assist drive England’s success. I’d wish to thank everybody at Oyonnax, particularly [president] Dougal Bendjaballah for understanding my deep want to educate the England nationwide group.