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Nick Abendanon linked to Top14 coaching role

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Former England fullback Nick Abendanon has been linked to a potential move into coaching with French club Bayonne, according to reports from French sports media outlet L’Equipe.

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Bayonne, who have been on the hunt for staff following the dismissal of Antoine Battut, are reportedly in talks with Abendanon as they seek to strengthen their coaching team ahead of the new season.

While the 36-year-old is currently still under contract with Vannes, his playing career is set to come to an end this summer due to a serious bicep injury. As a result, Abendanon is said to be considering a move into coaching, with Bayonne reportedly offering him a role as a skills coach.

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Abendanon’s potential move into coaching comes as Bayonne continue to make significant changes ahead of the new season. The club has already extended the contract of second row Konstantine Mikautadze, while also reportedly in talks with former Agen coach Rémi Vaquin.

The news will come as a boost to Bayonne fans, who have been eagerly anticipating a busy summer transfer window. With the new season just around the corner, the Basque club has been working hard to strengthen its squad and improve its coaching staff, as it looks to build on last season’s solid performances.

After starting his career in England at Bath, Abendanon played six Top 14 seasons at Clermont before joining Vannes in 2020, after seriously considering retiring as a player.

Despite a sparkling career in the Premiership over the course of 207 caps for Bath, he won just two Test caps for England. He won his first one in South Africa – the country of his birth. He was capped again against France later that year, but narrowly missed out on a place in England’s 30-man squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He did eventually travel to the tournament as cover for the final after an injury to Josh Lewsey.

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PM 55 minutes ago
Report card: Ratings all 35 England players from the 2025 July Tests

George had a good tour to showed he is back to his best level.


Heyes did well but shame we didn’t test Fasogbon this tour.


Not sure ENG solved the confusion in the back row, as Underhill probably added to it. Curry, Curry, Pollock & Pepper are likely the go forward open-side options and they need to give games to Pollock & Pepper, so will see in the AI’s. Underhill is better than both but they also need games to develop. It’s 5 good players into 3 or 4 spots.


We need to find the 8 to replace Willis at 60 mins and would like to have seen CC-S used over Dombrandt but will also have Earl & Pollock back, who could fill that last 20 min need.


Will be interesting to see if SB tries Chessum/T Curry/ Willis or sticks with Curry/Curry/Willis with Pollock & Pepper coming off the bench. This feels like the short term future of our back row. Tough on Hill, never felt like he has been given a chance and too many wasted caps on Dombrandt at the expense of CC-S.


Not sure why Quirke was not selected, scrum half is still an issue and whilst Spencer did his best in an England shirt, JvP & Quirke have time on their side, whereas Spencer is not getting any younger. feels like a wasted opportunity at 9 and hard to see how we test them all when Mitchell returns as starter.


Atkinson was the big success, just hope they don’t pick Farrell at 12 and delay Atkinson’s development, he needs game time, which will be a challenge if Farrell returns.


Back 3 feels like Furbank, Freeman & IF-W but Carpenter, Roebuck & Hendy adds strength in depth to that back 3 and will be interesting to see how quickly Lee Blackett gets Arundell back to his best at Bath.


Some big selection decisions for Steve Borthwick, which he occasionally struggles making at this level (Mitchell, Willis etc). Interesting few months ahead but certainly heading in the right direction.

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