The farcical nature of securing Steve Borthwick’s services from Bristol Rugby does not shine a great light on the RFU and Ian Ritchie. Now that it has been confirmed, however, he appears to be the man to fix Englands failing set piece.
England Rugby announced on Tuesday that Steve Borthwick will take up the role of Forwards Coach under new national Head Coach Eddie Jones. This news came just 24 hours after the announcement that Stuart Lancaster’s back room staff of Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt were all surplus to requirement at the RFU despite signing long term contracts last year. The reuniting of Jones and Borthwick under the red rose banner will boost England supporters hopes of returning to the set piece dominance of old, as together they moulded Japan’s much lighter pack into a weapon of real power.
Indeed the two have worked together with real promise both with Japan and at Saracens where Borthwick began his transition from player to coach under the tutelage of Eddie Jones. The culmination of this partnership could be witnessed at the 2015 Rugby World Cup as Japan stunned the world of rugby claiming three wins out of four games during the pool stages including their dramatic 34-32 victory over the Springboks. That inspiring win was built from a dominant performance up front at the set piece. Much of the praise for this was heaped upon the shoulders of Borthwick which will increase the pressure on expected results with the England set up.
Steve Borthwick is the man to fix England’s failing set piece after a disastrous World Cup. For all the promise that came with Lancaster’s young and exciting backs in the guise of Anthony Watson, Johnathan Joseph, Jonny May and Mike Brown, who were witnessed playing open attacking rugby throughout the Six Nations only to be stifled come the World Cup, it was the demise of the English pack that hurts most for fans. Once a corner stone of English rugby dominance England were schooled by the Wallabies and the Welsh. The lessons dished out by Australia in their 33-13 win that dealt the final blow to England’s World Cup hopes were built on a strong foundation of scrum and lineout execution. This is the challenge that lays in store for Borthwick but he may well be the man to restore some pride in the pack.
If he is the coach to restore the English forwards then ultimately there must be the players who can rebuild the solid foundations. The early exchanges of the Aviva Premiership and European competition has seen a number of standout performances from the English clubs packs. In particular those of Saracens with Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola excelling, Wasps led by Joe Launchbury and James Haskell and Exeter Chiefs with Thomas Waldrom and Dave Ewers staking claims to the England jersey. Those are just six names from a rather large list of English forwards plying their trade in the Aviva Premiership and are therefore eligible and committed to the national teams cause. Borthwick now has the responsibility of moulding the twelve clubs packs into one that can drive England forward and lay a platform for the backs that have the potential to be world class.
The task may well be daunting but the former second row and England captain appears to have the pedigree to successfully take on the challenge. It is a question of whether his coaching skills are taken on board by the ‘star’ players in the England dressing room. Eddies Jones has previously stated that all eligible English players are on equal footing as he assesses his new domain. It is, therefore, now up to the players in the pack to raise their game and meet the expectations of Borthwick and Jones as well as the nation.
Now it is a case of waiting for the final pieces of the coaching puzzle underneath Eddie Jones. Paul Gustard of the Saracens Wolf Pack defensive approach has been confirmed by England as defence coach. Whilst rumours are that Alex King of Northampton Saints has been approached as attack coach. For now though Steve Borthwick can begin the rebuilding of England’s set piece and restore its former glory.
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