Borthwick in pole to be Eddie’s successor
STEVE Borthwick has emerged as the clear front runner to take over as England coach from Eddie Jones when he stands down after the World Cup next year.
Borthwick, 42, is a loyal former lieutenant of Jones, working under him for three years with Japan and then a further four with England before joining Leicester to gain experience in a top job.
The former England captain has waved a magic wand this season and turned the Tigers from Premiership basement dwellers into favourites to land the title at Twickenham.
And that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the RFU’s top brass, with chief executive Bill Sweeney admitting in March that the overwhelming choice as Jones’ successor would be homegrown.
Borthwick, who is under contract to Leicester until 2024, is still well thought of by union blazers and the turnaround of the Tigers’ fortunes this season has enhanced his chances even further.
Sweeney wants to have Jones’ successor in place by next summer, and he will then take over immediately following the tournament in France.
An early appointmnt would also allow the Tigers enough time to line up a replacement of their own in plenty of time for the start of the 2023-24 Premiership campaign.
Borthwick could even be added to the England coaching team to allow him to shadow his mentor for the duration of RWC23 to give him extra time to bed into the role.
The news that Borthwick is the favourite for the job will be a blow for former Tigers boss Richard Cockerill, who is now on Jones’ coaching staff and believed to be keen on the job.
Likewise Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter, who said that he would be prepared to meet the RFU to discuss their succession plans.
Baxter has previously ruled himself out of the running but appears to now be more open-minded about it, especially as two of his children are now living in the capital.
“Steve has emerged as a clear front runner after the season he has had with Leicester and especially given his history with Eddie. It would be a surprise if anyone else is considered at this stage,” a well placed source said.