Steve Borthwick to appoint new England defence coach soon

Steve Borthwick is in the process of appointing a new defence coach for the England rugby team following the unexpected resignation of Felix Jones. The search has narrowed down to three main candidates: Norman Laker, Paul Gustard, and Joe El-Abd. Each candidate brings a unique background and experience that could benefit the team. Laker, currently with the Stormers, is known for his aggressive defensive strategies and has an escape clause in his contract for international opportunities. Gustard previously held the role under Eddie Jones and has since worked to rebuild his reputation with clubs in Europe. El-Abd, who has a close relationship with Borthwick, has been coaching in France and has a solid playing history with Bristol. Borthwick aims to finalize the appointment before the autumn internationals, which include matches against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan at Twickenham in November. The urgency of this decision is compounded by the recent upheaval in the coaching staff, including the departure of strength and conditioning coach Aled Walters. The Rugby Football Union was caught off guard by these resignations, particularly Jones's, who had only been in the position for eight months. The successful candidate's availability will influence whether Jones remains in his role during the November Tests, as he has a 12-month notice period. Borthwick has already engaged in discussions with the three candidates, indicating a proactive approach to stabilizing the coaching staff and ensuring the team's competitive readiness for the upcoming international fixtures. Overall, the appointment of a new defence coach is crucial for England as they look to build on the progress made under Jones's aggressive defensive system. The new coach will need to quickly integrate into the team dynamics and prepare the players for the challenges ahead in the autumn series.