When I first heard that Joe El-Abd had been appointed as England’s new defence coach, I felt an immense sense of pride. Having played alongside him during our time at Toulon, I know firsthand the quality he brings both on and off the field. Joe and I have shared a lot of memories, and I have no doubt he’s the right man for this role.
I first came across Joe on the pitch during his days at Bristol. He was that gritty, hard-nosed flanker who always seemed to be in the right place at the wrong time for opponents. My first interaction with him was probably him trying to nick the ball from me! But we didn’t truly connect until pre-season at Toulon when we both found ourselves part of a side going through major changes.
What Joe Brought on the Field
Joe brought a real edge to the game. There was a hardness to him, a bit of niggle that made him the sort of player you’d love to have on your team but hated to face. He was incredibly good at making the critical tackle, and before you even had time to think, he’d be in a position trying to steal the ball. There was a lot of pride in his work at the breakdown—he saw it as a personal mission. That relentlessness made him invaluable to Toulon during a time when the club was building its reputation.
His defensive mindset was simple: tackle everything that moved. Even if he wasn’t quite in position, Joe didn’t seem to care what toll those collisions took on his body. If you ever meet him, just take a look at his face—it’s basically a roadmap of his career, every scar telling a story of another brutal defensive stand. He fully bought into the team philosophy instilled by Philippe Saint-André and the coaching staff, and that’s where I think a lot of his early defensive foundations were laid.
Off the Field
Off the pitch, Joe couldn’t have been more different from the hard-edged flanker we saw during games. He’s one of the most easy-going blokes you could ever meet. A big family man, Joe was always someone who brought positive energy to the group. You know those guys who just sap energy from a team? That was never Joe. He was the kind of guy you wanted to be around because he’d lift you up rather than drag you down.
We’ve kept in touch over the years, the odd WhatsApp exchange, and we bump into each other every now and then. But the Joe I knew then is the Joe I know now—a man of high standards and an unwavering work ethic.
What He Brings to the England Set-Up
As a coach over the past 10 years since hanging up his boots, Joe has made a name for himself as one of the most promising young coaches out there. As forwards coach for both Oyonnax and Castres, he fostered dominant packs with sound foundations and a steely edge. It is unsurprising that he was promoted to Head Coach at Oyonnax and has continued to impress in a side without the same sort of money as his competitors such as our former club, Toulon. Rumours from France were indicating that he was being eyed up by a number of clubs in the Top 14, but his former usher, Steve Borthwick, has snapped him up first. He’s developed a reputation as a coach who holds his players to high standards and helps them grow both individually and as a unit. That’s why I believe he’ll bring tremendous value to England.
Joe is stepping into an England side that has already made great strides defensively under Felix Jones, who introduced a highly effective blitz defence. The improvement was noticeable, and losing a quality coach like Jones is a big blow for the squad. More than his defensive insight, Jones was Borthwick’s no.2 and brought a winning mindset from his time in South Africa. Many people have asked since we heard the surprising news of his departure whether it would mean the end of the blitz system. However good Felix is, it’s not unique to him. It’s been a cornerstone of modern rugby defence for years. Coaches like Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland trailblazed it at Wales and Wasps, Paul Gustard implemented a similar approach with Saracens and England, and Andy Farrell has arguably coached it more effectively than anyone else since. Most teams around the world operate with some variation of a blitz these days, and I’d expect Joe to continue in the same vein.
Joe’s experience as a player, particularly as a flanker, has given him a deep understanding of how to pressure opposition attacks, and I don’t see him moving away from the aggressive, line-speed-focused defence that’s become the standard in international rugby. Although he’s never been a specialist defence coach, I don’t see this as an issue for England, especially with talented coaches such as Steve Borthwick, Richard Wigglesworth and Andrew Strawbridge around, too. His experience as a Head Coach will mean he has more than enough experience to take on the keys to the England defence. The key will be keeping it simple, effective, and aligned with what England are already doing well.
A Good Coach Doesn’t Need to Have Played Test Rugby
One question people might raise is that Joe never played test rugby himself. But to be honest, I don’t think it matters. Some of the best coaches never played at the highest level, while some of the greatest players have struggled to transition into coaching. Joe’s been immersed in top-level rugby in France, a hugely competitive and physically demanding environment, and he’s proven himself as a leader there.
If anything, his journey through the ranks, from Bristol to Toulon to Oyonnax, has equipped him with a deep understanding of the game and a work ethic that’s second to none. He’s not someone who needs the spotlight—he’s there to do the hard yards, just as he did when we played together.
Joe El-Abd: The Right Choice
In Joe, England have a coach who’s fiercely dedicated, tactically astute, and able to relate to players on a personal level. He’s not one for ego or self-promotion. He’s someone who values the team above all else, and I think that’s exactly the type of personality England need in their coaching set-up right now.
Having gone up against Paul Gustard for the role, Joe’s appointment is a testament to his quality as a coach. Gustard is a top coach in his own right, but Joe’s ability to work under pressure and lead in difficult situations speaks volumes. England have made a fantastic decision, and I can’t wait to see the impact Joe will have on the team moving forward.
The defensive structures, the standards, and the leadership he’ll bring will be vital for England as they look to build toward the next chapter. England are lucky to have him, and I couldn’t be more proud to see Joe take on this role.
Joe, good luck, mate—you’ve earned it.
By Tom May, former Toulon teammate
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