El Abd Joe

Joe M El Abd

Position: Flanker

Born: 23rd February 1980 in Brighton

Height: 6ft 2ins

Weight: 16st.5lbs

Education: Bath University

Achievements:

Honours:

Debut game: 10th August 2001 v Munster

Competitive Debut: 2nd September 2001 v Leeds Tykes

Final game: 25th November 2001 v Newcastle

Number of Appearances: 7

Career details:

Joe El Abd was another new name to the army of travelling Bath supporters at the opening match of season 2001/2002 in Leeds, the flanker having joined the club from Bath University in the summer of that year. A former schoolboy football apprentice with both Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, Joe took up rugby fairly late in the day, but his natural physique and excellent pace from the back row ensured a lively start to his Bath career. As with Beattie, Joe was thrust into the first XV earlier than the coaching staff would have wanted, but he had the talent to go a long way. He featured in four matches for Bath in 2001/2002 after making his debut at Headingley. Joe was a replacement in the games at Northampton and at home to Newcastle but started in the match with Bristol at the Memorial Ground, where he was shown a yellow card for persistent infringement. A broken ankle in training curtailed most of the rest of the 2001/2002 season for the amiable youngster who was studying at the time for a Sports Science degree at Bath University.  Joe left Bath to join Bristol Shoguns (in 2003) but before doing so he enjoyed a loan spell with Caerphilly where he was named captain as the side reached the 2003 Parker Pen Shield Final.

Since retiring from playing Joe had forged a very successful career as a forwards coach presently being at Castres Olympique in the French Top 14.

Bath Rugby Appearances: 2001/2002: 3(1)

Bath Rugby Friendly Appearances 2000/2001 – to date: 2(1)

Signed From: Bath University

Transferred To: Bristol Shoguns

Also Played For: Caerphilly (loan) Toulon and finally Oyonnax.