SUPER SMART BORTH BEST SIN THE BIZ

KEVIN SINFIELD says leicester boss Steve borthwick is as good a coach as he has come across.

borthwick (above), widely seen as heir apparent to eddie Jones’ england throne 18 months from now, takes the Tigers to Twickenham to face his former club Saracens in Saturday’s Premiership final.

He does so having transformed the fortunes of england’s biggest rugby club from also-rans to top dogs this season.

Rugby league legend Sinfield has worked alongside borthwick as leicester’s defence coach.

He said: “Steve won’t want to take any credit for the turnaround at all, but he should. Without him it wouldn’t have happened.

“He’s one of the best leaders i’ve worked with, if not the best. He’s driven, he’s smart and probably the biggest compliment i can pay him is he cares. A lot. About the players, the staff, the people around leicester.

“To find somebody with all those attributes rolled into one is unique. i came here to work with him.”

Sinfield, 41, insists borthwick is “destined for great things” but would not be drawn on the links to england.

“i’ve been in and around a number of international environments, albeit in the other code, and he’s as good as i’ve seen,” added the leeds Rhinos great.

borthwick, though, deflects the praise and said: “i’m not afraid to surround myself with people who have more knowledge in areas than i do and to pick their brains.

“i’m still learning, finding every day a challenge. Still very much uncomfortable and at times a little bit exposed. but i feel i’m growing and getting better.”