Steve Borthwick is closing in on a new defence coach as he moves to restore order to his ranks following the shock resignation of Felix Jones.
The South African coach Norman Laker is believed to be in the frame while Paul Gustard has also emerged as a candidate along with Joe El-Abd as Borthwick seeks to bolster his staff following a summer of upheaval. The former England No 8 Nick Easter has also been linked with the role, but it is understood that Borthwick’s appointment is expected to be one of the aforementioned three candidates.
Laker, who holds the role with the Stormers of Cape Town, would be the continuity candidate given he has developed a reputation for aggressive linespeed. His contract with the Stormers runs to 2027 but it is said he has an escape clause should he be offered an international position. Like Jones he has previously worked with the former South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber.
Gustard occupied the role for the first two-and-a-half years under Eddie Jones before moving to take over at Harlequins. But his stint at the Stoop was ill-fated – he left in January 2021 and five months later Quins were crowned champions – but he has been restoring his reputation as defence coach with Treviso and now Stade Français.
El-Abd is close to Borthwick and has been employed as head coach at Oyonnax – who are in the second tier in France – for the past five years. In his playing days, El-Abd made more than 100 appearances for Bristol before moving to France.
According to the BBC, Borthwick has spoken to the three candidates while it is understood that the head coach hopes to have secured his man before England’s autumn internationals campaign with New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan coming to Twickenham in November.
It is also understood that whether the successful candidate is available to start work during the autumn or is required to work notice will dictate whether Jones – who has a 12-month notice period – remains in position for the November Tests.
The Rugby Football Union was blindsided this summer by Jones’s resignation, coming hot on the heels of Aled Walters’s decision to quit as strength and conditioning coach and join Ireland. Jones had been in the job only eight months before tendering his resignation but England had made significant progress under his aggressive blitz defence system.
