Steve Borthwick has finalised his coaching team for England's World Cup campaign by recruiting Tom Harrison, the scrum coach for Leicester Tigers, and Tony Roques, the coach of Great Britain Sevens, according to The Telegraph.
Harrison replaces Richard Cockerill, who is now bound for Montpellier, and completes the transplant of the entire coaching team that helped Tigers win the Premiership title last season to the national set-up.
Harrison, who played professional rugby in England and France, including an appearance for Barbarians FC, began his coaching career in 2015 after working in community coaching roles with Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby. In 2016, he became Programme Lead and Men's Rugby Head Coach at Loughborough College.
A year later, he joined Leicester Tigers as part of the academy coaching team and AASE Programme Manager with the club's partner Brooksby Melton College.
He helped lead the Tigers to three successive Under-18 League titles before achieving Premiership success in the 21/22 campaign.
Ahead of the 20/21 season, he joined Steve Borthwick's coaching team with Leicester and stepped up into the role after three years as part of the Leicester Tigers academy and junior program.
Head of Rugby for a year at The Leys School in Cambridge. He then became assistant coach for the England Sevens team until 2018. From 2018 he has been the coach for the USA Rugby Sevens team.
England have three options to replace Steve Borthwick in case of World Cup disaster
Steve Borthwick has had to face tough questions already during his short reign as England's preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup continues.
A troubling run of form leading up to the World Cup could spell the end if the them en in white don't come up with the goods at the tournament proper.
RUCK takes you through three coaches who could be sought out if Borthwick is given his marching orders after leading the nation to France...
Rob Baxter
Rob Baxter, who guided the Devon-based club from the Championship to European champions in 10 years has done this largely with a core of players that have come through the academy at Exeter.
With this season's club performance not at the level of previous years, it may be time for him to move on and into the Test game in the near futuree.
Although Baxter joined the England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and Uruguay in March 2013, he has no experience outside of Exeter. "I would be happy to have a chat about what the role is, how they see it working and what their plans and ambitions are," Baxter said of the England job back in December.
"Unless you know what it is, it's hard to say yes or no to anything. At the same time, I'm not looking for another job! I'm very happy here," he added.
Rob Baxter, Director of Rugby of Exeter Chiefs looks dejected after losing during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on 20 May. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Andy Farrell
Despite having signed a contract extension until 2025, Andy Farrell would likely be at the top of the list for the RFU if they were to make another coaching change, regardless of how well Ireland performs during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Currently, one of the coaches England would be most interested in having is Farrell, who is achieving impressive results and playing styles across the Irish Sea.
However, whether or not Farrell would want to return to the RFU, where he was previously the defence coach between 2011 and 2015 under Stuart Lancaster - who is currently working in Ireland with Leinster - and left under a cloud after England's disappointing 2015 home World Cup, is another matter altogether.
Andy Farrell, Head Coach of Ireland is interviewed during the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Media Launch at County Hall, Lambeth, London on Monday 23rd January 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
Ronan O'Gara
The La Rochelle coach was seen as one of the front-runners to replace Eddie Jones when he was sacked in December.
O’Gara has previously said he would be interested in the job because of the calibre of players available, but when linked to the job he admitted it would be a 'big leap'.
"There’s a lot to that, being the head man it’s very much your vision. Even two people who are very aligned sometimes don’t have the same vision.
“Then again, titles don’t really interest me too much and it’s just what role Scott would like to do, I would like to do and how you share responsibility.
“Even before that, it’s a big mental leap for me to decide upon.
“I wouldn’t have given that the time required, at the minute all I’ve said is that I wouldn’t rule it out, but if you were to commit to something like that I’d have to sit down with my family and work it out."
🤝 Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara once more proved they make a rather good coaching team.
Could they be partnering again, this time at Test level, after next year’s World Cup? 🤔