Felix Jones could be allowed by the Rugby Soccer Union to hitch the British & Irish Lions teaching employees 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 function as head coach of Oyonnax in France’s second tier till the tip of the season.
Jones has been pushed to the margins by Steve Borthwick and won’t be in camp in the course of the autumn, as a substitute offering distant help. The Irishman’s resignation blindsided the RFU in August, eight months into the job, with the union’s chief govt, Invoice Sweeney, saying he was “deeply upset”.
Jones has a 12-month discover interval and the RFU would demand vital compensation if he needs to take up a everlasting place elsewhere earlier than it expires. Consequently, he might stay in his distant England function 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 stand in his approach if Andy Farrell needed to second him to the Lions tour of Australia, which begins in June.
Jones have to be thought of among the many favourites for a Lions assistant teaching submit given his pedigree as a two-times World Cup winner with South Africa. All of the extra so provided that Simon Easterby will step up from being Farrell’s defence coach to take cost of Eire over the summer season moderately than come into consideration for the Lions.
El-Abd won’t start working completely for England till the summer season however it’s understood he shall be full-time in the course of the autumn, when New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan go to Twickenham, and the 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 on the College of Bathtub – and although he’s coming from the second tier of French rugby, he has a variety of admirers on the RFU.
After a summer season of upheaval with the top of energy and conditioning, Aled Walters, quitting to hitch Eire, Borthwick mentioned: “Joe embodies the qualities we worth within the England rugby workforce and I’m positive he’ll add to the environment and shortly ship continued enhancements to our recreation.
“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 shall be key to the squad’s ongoing improvement.”
Having completed his enjoying profession at Oyonnax in 2014, El-Abd joined the membership’s teaching employees, initially as forwards coach. After a 12 months 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 in opposition to the Barbarians in 2019 when Eddie Jones handed the reins to Jim Mallinder.
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It’s mentioned he’s dedicated to persevering with with the ultra-aggressive blitz defence system launched by Jones.
“I really feel extremely honoured to hitch the England teaching workforce, and I can’t wait to get began,” mentioned El-Abd. “I’m excited by the course through which this England workforce is headed and the place they need to go beneath Steve’s management. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his imaginative and prescient for this workforce is evident.
“Defence is a large 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 need to teach the England nationwide workforce.”
