Result makes Borthwick’s immediate exit much less likely

LEICESTER Tigers fans will be heaving a huge sigh of relief that England managed to turn around their disastrous start to the Australian Test series.

There are lots of positive reasons that should be the case. First off, Jack van Poortvliet.

Many will be utterly bored by my view on the talents of this young man.

The fact that he put in a man-ofthe-match performance in his first start for the international side might mean that people will now take even more notice.

The level of Leicester’s resources at scrum-half can be judged by the fact that van Poortvliet couldn’t make the 23 for the Premiership final.

Surely that will change, but Leicester, unless England head coach Eddie Jones becomes even more contrary than usual, will have to get used to the idea that JVP will be away at internationals more than they were expecting. Add in the likely recall of Ben Youngs to the fold once the tour is over, and scrum-half becomes something of a problem position. Will young Sam Edwards be trusted to understudy Richard Wigglesworth?

Leicester’s other representatives all performed well, with Guy Porter doing nothing wrong with limited opportunities presented by those inside him.

Freddie Steward is simply so good that he just doesn’t get mentioned because exceptional is expected.

Joe Heyes does his job in a quiet and unassuming manner, but he does do his job very well.

The continuing presence of Ollie Chessum on the bench rather than starting is a cause for head scratching.

However, the most pressing reason for Tigers fans relief is that this result bolsters Eddie Jones’ waning reputation and makes it very unlikely that the panic button will be pressed by the RFU.

That, in turn, makes it more likely that Steve Borthwick will at least see out his contract at Leicester Tigers and there will be another season for his influence to bed in at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

It also provides a longer period to make contingency plans at management level for the possibility (some might say probability) that Borthwick (and subsequently some of his team) will be summoned to Twickenham in order to take part in the changing of the guard as the England coach’s understudy during the World Cup.

The appointment of Borthwick has proven to be a master stroke by the club. The next challenge will be how his likely departure is handled.