Borthwick to leave England for head coach job at Tigers

LEICESTER have announced Steve Borthwick is to become their head coach at the end of the season with Geordan Murphy moving to the role of director of rugby.

Borthwick will leave his post as number two to Eddie Jones before the July tour to Japan, meaning the Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy on March 14 will be his final game with England.

The 40-year-old former England captain has worked beneath Jones for seven years, first with Japan and since 2016 with the World Cup runners-up.

In 2017, he was part of Warren Gatland’s Lions backroom staff in the drawn New Zealand series.

His primary function has been overseeing the forwards but during the forthcoming Six Nations will be acting as skills coach before stepping down in June.

“We are delighted to confirm that Steve will be joining us as head coach,” Leicester chairman Peter Tom said.

“He is regarded among the brightest and most astute young coaches in the game.

“He has a wealth of knowledge and experience at the very highest level as player and now as a coach, and has a clear vision of where he wants to take the team. We look forward to welcoming him on board.”

Murphy has operated as Leicester’s head coach for the past year but the Tigers are struggling for a second successive season and would be locked in a relegation battle were Saracens not being automatically demoted to the Championship for salary cap breeches.

“The appointment of Steve as head coach and Geordan in the role of director of rugby provides an exciting combination of leadership, expertise and experience to drive the club forward in its desire to challenge for major honours again,” Tom said.

“The club has enjoyed many of its greatest successes with a blend of the Tigers DNA alongside fresh, innovative ideas from outside, both among the players and the coaching staff, and we look forward to Geordan and Steve leading that in their respective new roles.”