Tigers could be victims of Borthwick’s success

HEAD COACH MUST HAVE PUT HIMSELF IN THE ENGLAND BOX SEAT

I SUSPECT an awful lot of Tigers fans are living in denial over the longterm future of Steve Borthwick as head coach at Leicester after what has been a wildly successful tenure.

Naturally, as we head to the end of Eddie Jones’ time as England’s top man (perhaps not heading there quickly enough for some), the RFU’s semi-official announcement that they wanted an English coach for the top job narrowed the field for Jones’ successor considerably.

Now, no-one doubted that the reason that Borthwick left his position as Jones’ assistant was to round out his CV in order to enhance his chances to be the replacement at the summit.

Add to his existing success with Saracens, Japan and England, rebuilding a sleeping giant is a powerful card to play.

I wrote at the time that if Borthwick’s tenure was such that he left as the best candidate for the England post, no-one would have anything but gratitude.

It’s difficult to argue, even at this point that this isn’t now the case.

Admittedly Borthwick’s recent interviews indicate that he has discovered, perhaps to his surprise, something genuinely special at Leicester, but I strongly doubt that will prevent him pursuing his long-term and long-held ambitions. Let’s look at the alternatives. Rob Baxter is a name everyone will point to. His success in building Exeter from the ground up has been huge.

However, this season has stalled and more importantly, whatever job you are looking to fill – do you want a one-company man or someone with a breadth of successful experience?

Most rational employers, fairly or not, would go for the latter.

The RFU have certainly proven to be irrational in the past, but I doubt they would be in this case.

Alex Sanderson at Sale is another name in the ring, but he lacks international experience.

Andy Farrell with Ireland would be a viable candidate, but would he swap the Irish access to players and less pressurised environment of Ireland for England’s rocky shores?

Similarly for Sean Edwards in France. Saracen’s Mark McColl would surely be on the list but fails the English test.

Richard Cockerill has the other near perfect CV but his association with Eddie Jones and perhaps his perceived personality would count against him with the RFU.

Hopefully Leicester’s management team have appropriate contingency plans in place for after the next World Cup, because they must almost expect Borthwick to leave (and probably take Aled Walters and possibly Kevin Sinfield with him).