England set to confirm coaching appointment as star player to see specialist over neck injury
England head coach Steve Borthwick watching scrum-half Alex Mitchell.
England are close to completing a deal with ex-Bristol back-row Joe El-Abd to become their new defence coach following the resignation of Felix Jones last month.
The 44-year-old, who is currently head coach of Pro D2 team Oyonnax in France, is reportedly set to be in the England set-up in time for the end-of-year Tests.
Since Jones resigned after less than a year in the position, a handful of candidates emerged as his potential replacement, but El-Abd seems to have been chosen.
Bristol favourite
The former flanker was a Bristol favourite during his playing days in England and also represented Caerphilly in Wales, as well as Toulon and Oyonnax in France.
His coaching career has been centred in France, however, with a spell at Castres having been bookended by two stints at Oyonnax where he is currently head coach.
According to the Telegraph and BBC Sport, El-Abd has seen off ex-England assistant coach Paul Gustard and Stormers coach Norman Laker to the Twickenham job.
El-Abd is no stranger to head coach Steve Borthwick as they were flat-mates at Bath University so the pair know each other well from their earlier playing days.
It remains to be seen whether Jones will remain in situ for the remainder of the year as he is serving a 12-month notice period, with his next role still unclear.
BBC Sport believe El-Abd could be in place ahead of England’s training camp at the end of October as the side looks to enjoy a solid Autumn Nations Series.
Borthwick’s men kick off their end-of-year internationals with a game against New Zealand on November 2 before taking on Australia, South Africa and Japan.
Alex Mitchell concern
Meanwhile, England scrum-half Alex Mitchell will see a specialist on Thursday to gauge the extent of a neck problem which has sidelined him so far this season.
Mitchell missed Northampton‘s Premiership opener at Bath last Friday after he withdrew from their final pre-season friendly versus Bedford one week earlier.
Director of rugby Phil Dowson said immediately after the Bath fixture that Mitchell had taken a knock to his neck with the club awaiting the results of a scan.
Northampton continue their Premiership campaign when they host Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, but England star Mitchell is again unlikely to be in contention.
“He is seeing a specialist again on Thursday, so more update really, then, in terms of timeline and what it looks like,” Dowson said during a press conference.
Mitchell, who has won 18 caps, has locked down the England number nine jersey over the past year.
And head coach Borthwick will therefore be keeping a close eye on developments with the November opener against New Zealand less than six weeks away.
In-form Bath captain Ben Spencer, who provided bench cover for Mitchell during both summer Tests against the All Blacks, offers a quality back-up option.
But the electric Mitchell has made the position his own under Borthwick, and any long-term absence would prove a significant blow for club and country.
