Steve Borthwick to succeed Eddie Jones as England head coach on Monday; former international lock was forwards coach under Jones before joining Leicester as director of rugby in 2020
Last Updated: 18/12/22 12:07pm
Steve Borthwick was England’s forwards coach before joining Leicester in 2020
Steve Borthwick is set to be named England’s new head coach after the RFU and Leicester reached an agreement over compensation.
The RFU are due to hold a press conference on Monday to announce Borthwick’s appointment.
The Tigers’ director of rugby will replace Eddie Jones in the role after the Australian’s seven-year reign was brought to an end earlier this month.
Borthwick worked under Jones as England’s forwards coach before leaving for Leicester in 2020 and going on to win the Premiership title last season.
The former international lock was targeted by the RFU following the decision to sack Jones in the wake of five wins in 12 games – England’s worst run of results since 2008.
Borthwick continued to lead Leicester while a compensation package was being negotiated, overseeing victory over Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup on Saturday.
Borthwick ‘a ridiculously good coach’
Borthwick’s appointment was given a seal of approval from Leicester and England back Anthony Watson earlier this month.
“What I will say is that Steve is a ridiculously good coach,” Watson said after the Tigers’ opening Champions Cup game against Ospreys on December 11.
“Steve is genuinely an honest bloke. He will tell you exactly how it is – there’s no sugar-coating it. Whether you like it or not, he is going to tell you, and secondly, everything he says is backed up by evidence.
“I remember in pre-season he came up to me and we were talking about the breakdown. He said he had watched every one of my carries for the last two or three years and what I needed to do on the ground to make sure we can retain possession.
“I don’t know how many carries that would have been, but two, three years’ worth of carries is a decent amount. For him to trawl through all of that just shows you how dedicated he is.”
