Farrell full of admiration for his old comrade Borthwick
APHOTO of Andy Farrell and Steve Borthwick at their unveiling as Saracens co-captains was dug out in recent days.
It was from August 2008, and the backdrop was Tower Bridge in London. Farrell looked relaxed as the pair posed, but Borthwick seemed to be forcing a seriousness and authority beside the older man. Farrell was 33 at the time, Borthwick 28. The latter would go on to become a Saracens legend, his long career at Bath eclipsed by the role he played in dragging Sarries towards the top of the English game.
He won one Premiership title but was integral in creating the force that would rule Europe, too.
His Test career was not as distinguished and while he captained his country, he retired in his early 30s, concentrating on coaching while still playing.
His reputation soared after learning under Eddie Jones with Japan, then joining him at England before inspiring Leicester’s revival.
But since assuming control of the English national team, the going has become much tougher; reaching the last four of the World Cup was the result of a remarkably generous draw and tactics in the semi-final against South Africa that were so pragmatic they verged on the brutal.
Questions about his suitability for the role returned after the Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland, and tomorrow’s clash in Twickenham pitches him back into contact with Farrell.
And the impression, as in that photo from over 15 years ago, is of one man at ease and another forcing it.
But Farrell yesterday spoke with enthusiasm and warmth about Borthwick. They know each other a long time, and worked together as part of Warren Gatland’s coaching team on the Lions tour in 2017.
Their connection also extends through Farrell’s son, Owen, to whom Borthwick was loyal and whose decision to step away from Test rugby was not linked to any issue with his coach, but rather the toll of being England’s figurehead.
‘Did it surprise me? No, that was a proper slam dunk. If there was ever a person who was going to be a coach it was Steve,’ said Farrell of the younger man’s career path.
‘He was so driven as a player, as a captain, to try to understand the dynamics of a group. That fits the nature of a coach right there, doesn’t it?
‘So it’s no surprise to me. He is unbelievably serious about his rugby and he did it the hard way, people can’t forget that.
‘Straight away when he finished (playing), he got offered and would have been offered quite a few jobs to start his coaching career off.
‘But he did it the hard way and moved to Japan under Eddie, and that type of move is unbelievably daunting as far as the language barrier is concerned, and moving his young family at that stage.
‘It just shows how serious he was to get off on the right foot as far as testing himself in the different world of coaching.’
The respect is reciprocated, but the reality is that Borthwick is at the foundations when building a Test force;
Farrell is guiding one of the most complete teams in the world.
England’s World Cup provided no impetus into the new season, despite making the last four. Ireland, creased by huge disappointment in failing to get past the quarter-finals yet again, seem inspired anew.
‘It’s up to us to make sure that we be honest with each other and get to a point where we all agree we’re all going to move on together,’ Farrell said yesterday of getting over that defeat to New Zealand.
‘That was very evident that was going to be the case after the first meeting, after the first training session, that we’re just hungry to be the best version of ourselves and that’s always been the mantra really, so why should it change?’
It sounds simple, but of course is the product of four years of effort and progress that at times was barely perceptible.
He is helped, too, by the robust form of a handful of fringe players. Yet again, for instance, the coach has gone with six forwards and two backs among his substitutes.
That was long the preserve of heavyweights like South Africa, and it reflects the transformation in Irish forward play that an Ireland head coach can select his squad in that way.
But it’s also because of the brilliant form of Ryan Baird, which means he simply must be accommodated, while the ongoing development of Ciarán Frawley means Farrell can pick as one of his two backs a player that can cover every position in the backline bar scrum-half.
‘You’ve got to be openminded to change because the change sometimes is obviously right in front of your face in regards to where people are at, individuals and combinations,’ Farrell reasoned.
Once again, it all seems so smoothly logical – and a world away from the challenges swarming around Borthwick.
“He did it the hard way, he was so driven”