England assistant El-Abd to leave for Clermont after Rugby World Cup 2027

Joe El-Abd will leave his role as England assistant coach following the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Rugby Football Union confirmed, with the former flanker understood to be heading to Clermont in France’s Top 14.

El-Abd joined the England setup in 2024 under head coach Steve Borthwick, an old university friend, and has held various coaching responsibilities within the national programme. His imminent departure will not take effect until after the World Cup, and he was clear that his commitment to England remains undimmed in the interim.

“I’m incredibly proud of my time with England since joining in 2024 and I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of this set-up,” El-Abd said. “There is a huge amount that I still want to achieve with England and my focus between now and the World Cup won’t change. After that, the opportunity to return to France is one I’m excited about. A large part of my life has been spent playing and coaching in France, and it’s a country that is home to me and my young family.”

El-Abd’s ties to French rugby run deep. As a player, the Bristol-born flanker had spells at Toulon and Oyonnax, where he also began his coaching career. He moved to Castres in 2015 and spent four years there, winning the Top 14, before returning to Oyonnax for a second stint in charge.

Borthwick paid tribute to his assistant while signalling confidence that El-Abd’s focus will not waver before the tournament. “Joe is an outstanding coach and continues to make a significant contribution to both the team and the environment,” Borthwick said. “I know he will continue to give everything to the team and will be working as hard as ever to help us achieve success over the next 12 months. Thereafter, I am sure he will go on to great success back in France.”

El-Abd himself pointed to England’s upcoming Nations Championship fixtures at Allianz Stadium as the immediate priority, describing himself as “fully committed to giving everything” to help the side succeed before his French chapter begins.