The RFU to confirm Steve Borthwick as new England head coach

• The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is set to confirm Steve Borthwick as England’s new manager in the next coming days. 
• Steve Borthwick will replace Eddie Jones, who was sacked several days ago. Jones’ sacking was because of England’s poor performance this year, managing just five wins in 12 games.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is set to confirm Steve Borthwick as England’s new manager in the next coming days. 

The Guardian reports that the confirmation could happen on Monday, and Steve’s first match in charge will be in February against Scotland.

Steve Borthwick will replace be confirmed as England head coach on Monday. Photo/ The Mirror.

Steve Borthwick will replace Eddie Jones, who was sacked several days ago. Eddie Jones was England’s head coach for seven years, leading the team to win three Six Nations Championships and one Grand Slam. 

The Australian international also guided England to a Rugby World Cup final in 2019, which they lost to South Africa.

Eddie Jones’ sacking was because of England’s poor performance this year, managing just five wins in 12 games. 2022 was England’s worst year of results since 2008. 

The RFU opened negotiations with Leicester Tigers to sign their manager, Steve Borthwick, immediately after the sacking of Eddie Jones. 

The RFU were also targeting Warren Gatland, Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara. But after consideration, Steve was the man deemed fit to guide England from next year. 

Kevin Sinfield, Tigers defence coach, is tipped to join Steve Borthwick’s coaching staff. The RFU paid Leicester Tigers one million euros to secure the services of Steve and Sinfield. 

Steve Borthwick has been Leicester’s head coach since 2020. The 43-year-old has steered the team out of the doldrums, leading them to win the Premiership title last season. 

Steve orchestrated Leicester Tiger’s 23-16 win over Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup on Saturday. He informed the Leicester players that it was his last match. 

The Leicester Tigers’ squad and staff are now prepared for Steve’s exit. He will leave the Tigers after two-and-a-half years in charge. 

Steve’s exit comes at a time when Leicester Tigers are in good shape, thanks to his excellent job.

The Tigers, who were at the bottom of the Premiership table in 2020 before Steve’s arrival, are currently fifth in the standings. They are yet to lose a match in the Champions Cup. 

Steve Borthwick was a lock during his playing days. He won 57 caps for England and represented Saracens and Bath at club level. 

The England international retired from professional rugby after 14 years and began his coaching career with Japan in 2012. 

Steve Borthwick worked as Eddie Jones’ assistant in Japan and then moved to England, where he also worked with the Australian.

Steve Borthwick and Eddie Jones have previously worked together. Photo/ Sky Sports.

With the Six Nations being around the corner, Steve Borthwick will need time to make a statement. His first priority will be to shore up England’s lineout and scrum. 

It is not yet clear what the future holds for existing England’s assistant coaches.