BREAKING: Steve Borthwick confirmed as England boss, confirms backroom staff
Rugby NewsMonday, 19 December 2022 at 12:01
Former England captain and forwards coach Steve Borthwick has been announced as England men’s head coach with immediate effect.
Kevin Sinfield has also been appointed to the position of England men’s defence coach, taking on the role this week.
Borthwick started his playing career at Preston Grasshoppers, he represented England Schools, Colts U21 and Saxons. He played lock in 57 Tests for England from 2001-2010 and captained the side 21 times. He played Premiership rugby for ten years at Bath and six years at Saracens; captained both teams and became a Premiership winner in 2011 making 265 Premiership appearances, a record at the time.
His coaching career has included positions with Saracens and Leicester Tigers, where he led the team to winning the 2021-22 Premiership title. He was also recognised as the season’s Director of Rugby, having spearheaded the club’s best winning run for 25 years.
In his international coaching career, Borthwick worked as forwards coach in two Rugby World Cup cycles alongside Eddie Jones for Japan from 2012 to 2015 and for England between 2015 and 2020, with England reaching the final at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He also coached on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017 which saw the side draw the Test series against the All Blacks.
Steve Borthwick said:
"I'm deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach, and I am very excited by the challenge.
"The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team which makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did. I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play.
"The hard work starts now and planning for the Guinness Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything.”
Borthwick has signed a five-year contract reporting into RFU CEO, Bill Sweeney, who said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Steve back to the RFU. He has been part of the England team for over 15 years and he is our first-choice successor to Eddie.
"Steve and Kevin’s insight and first-hand knowledge of the players will be a great asset and everyone at the RFU is right behind them with our full support.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
EDITORS PICKS:
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- 8 facts you might not know about England head coach Steve Borthwick
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5 England players Steve Borthwick must call up for Six Nations
New England head Coach Steve Borthwick will be looking to put his own stamp on the national side as he now prepares for the 2023 Six Nations.
Eddie Jones was sacked after the men in white won just one of their four Autumn tests with underwhelming performances as they failed to beat Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.
But rather than waffle on more about how bad England were, why don't we throw it over to RUCK's editors to pick the players who could make a real difference?
#1. Fin Baxter
- Age: 20
- Position: Prop
- Club: Harlequins
Described yesterday as a generational talent, Baxter continually posed set-piece problems for opposing tighthead prop Biyi Alo as Quins overcame Racing 92.
Capable of playing on both sides of the scrum, the 20-year-old prop was the man of the match on a maiden first-team start that came in front of England scrum coach Matt Proudfoot.
Baxter began playing rugby at Cobham RFC at the age of five and made his England U18 debut against Scotland in 2018.
Recently signed a long-term contract extension to stay at The Stoop.
DID YOU KNOW? Off the pitch Vancouver is his favourite holiday destination, Inception his number one film and Game of Throne his go-to TV show. As for his favourite food, it’s a Sunday roast
#2. Ben Earl
- Age: 24
- Position: Flanker
- Club: Saracens
Ben Earl of Saracens applauds supporters the Gallagher Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at The StoneX Stadium, Hendon, London on November 6 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
One person said: "The fact that Eddie Jones thinks Ben Earl wouldn’t be an upgrade to this squad is frankly hilarious."
A second commented: "Stop picking locks at flanker. Poor Ben Earl. England’s selection policy during Jones tenure has been an utter disgrace."
Another said: "watch rugby in the UK from New Zealand, what I can't understand is why Joe Launchbury and Ben Earl are not picked for every game if I'm honest."
A fourth said: "He's tearing it up every game and not getting a look in. It's sad."
#3. Ollie Hassell-Collins
- Age: 23
- Position: Winger
- Club: London Irish
One editor said: "Should have been capped by England months ago. Further highlights Eddie’s poor selection policy."
Another commented: "He'll be called into a training camp and used as a tackle bag for the ones EJ knows he's going to play, then discarded!"
A third commented: "Unfortunately for him, Eddie Jones only likes old, slow wingers."
#4. Joe Marler
- Age: 32
- Position: Prop
- Club: Harlequins
One editor said: "Has criticised his own form, but at the end of the day Marler is still England's best scrummager,"
Another added: "He may not be at his best, but Mako looks finished to me,"
A third replied: "I'd probably give Rodd a go, but anyone over Vunipola at the moment sadly,"
Joe Marler facts:
- Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
- After joining the Quins academy in 2008, the prop spent some time on loan to Esher and Worthing
- He’s been nicknamed Croissant. In his own words, it’s because: “The boys think I have a nose that looks like a French pastry.”
- Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009
- He is also one of the hosts of The Joe Marler Show podcast with Tom Fordyce
#5. Alex Mitchell
- Age: 25
- Position: Scrum-half
- Club: Northampton Saints
One said: "It’s criminal he’s not had more caps."
A second commented: "Mitchell has to start! All the others have been tried and FAILED to light up the backs,"
Another said: "Eddie Jones has no idea how to utilise the talent before him so doesn’t make any difference as they won’t play as a cohesive unit following a game plan that won’t work."
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