STATEMENT: Leicester Tigers confirm Steve Borthwick replacement
Rugby NewsMonday, 19 December 2022 at 11:51
Leicester Tigers have appointed Richard Wigglesworth Interim Head Coach after agreeing terms with Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield for an early release from their contracts with the club.
The appointment sees Wigglesworth retire from professional rugby, bringing the on-field career of the English game’s most decorated and accomplished player to a close.
Wigglesworth has made more than 500 senior appearances - including a record 322 Premiership games and 33 Test matches for England - during a more than 20-year professional career.
He made his professional debut in 2002 for Sale Sharks, who he won the first of seven Premiership titles with before moving to Saracens in 2010, where he won three Heineken Champions Cup trophies.
Wigglesworth made 43 appearances for Leicester Tigers, scoring four tries, in two and a half seasons.
Borthwick joined Tigers in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic enforced postponement of the 2019/20 season, and has overseen 87 games in charge.
Wigglesworth said:
Speaking about his appointment to the role of Interim Head Coach and retirement from playing, Wigglesworth said: “There is so much to be excited about for what is to come for this great group of players, coaches and staff at Leicester Tigers.”
“The decision to retire from playing was not easy. I have given absolutely everything to my playing career and loved every minute of being a professional rugby player.
“My family have given everything too and I, quite literally, could not have achieved what I have without them.
“I would not have taken on the Head Coach role of Leicester Tigers if I did not believe there was a group of players and coaches who are committed to being successful and, with those at this club, that cannot be questioned.
“I am grateful to Steve and Kev for what they have taught me, how they have challenged me and the friendship I have with both. Myself and Leicester Tigers are better for having worked with them.
“While it’s a bittersweet day, there is no time to dwell on anything. There is a job to be done, this weekend at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, against Gloucester and all of my focus is now on preparing the team for our next game.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
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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