England head coach Steve Borthwick is close to naming a new defence coach, with Oyonnax’s Joe El-Abd and Stade Francais’ Paul Gustard reportedly the final contenders, according to The Telegraph.
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Both candidates are set to be interviewed in London this week, with a decision expected before the weekend. It is believed either appointment would continue the blitz defence system implemented by Felix Jones, though their availability ahead of the autumn internationals in November remains uncertain.
Gustard, who served as assistant coach under Eddie Jones from 2016 to 2018, played a key role in England’s back-to-back Six Nations titles.
After a stint as Head of Rugby at Harlequins, he has coached at Benetton and Stade Francais, leading the French side to the Top 14 semi-finals this year.
El-Abd, a former Bristol flanker, has built a strong reputation as a coach in France following his retirement in 2014 and is known to be a close ally of Borthwick.
Shock favourite to replace Steve Borthwick, he won’t be renewing his contract
Reflecting on past decisions, the RFU has learned from the extended tenures of Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward and is prepared for Borthwick to step down, even if England clinches the Webb Ellis Cup in Australia.
Here, we explore the current odds on who might succeed Borthwick as the next England head coach.
Who could replace Steve Borthwick at Twickenham?
4. Rob Baxter – 12/1
Rob Baxter, who guided the Devon-based club from the Championship to European champions in 10 years has done this largely with a core of players that have come through the academy at Exeter.
With this season’s club performance not at the level of previous years, it may be time for him to move on and into the Test game in the near futuree.
Although Baxter joined the England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and Uruguay in March 2013, he has no experience outside of Exeter. “I would be happy to have a chat about what the role is, how they see it working and what their plans and ambitions are,” Baxter said of the England job back in December.
“Unless you know what it is, it’s hard to say yes or no to anything. At the same time, I’m not looking for another job! I’m very happy here,” he added.
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