Announced this week, the RFU confirmed the ‘Steve Borthwick England Rugby era’ has begun. The new chief has high hopes for the red rose ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Signing a five-year contract with the England Rugby Football Union, former International Steve Borthwick will complete his successful term with the Leicester Tigers, after the club and union reached an agreement on ending Borthwick’s contract with the Tigers. RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Steve back to the RFU.
“He has been part of the England team for over 15 years and he is our first-choice successor to Eddie.”
The above image depicts the Steve Borthwick England Rugby assistant coach position in 2019, so his elevation to the supreme head coach role is a wonderful recognition for his own coaching abilities, as well as an endorsement of the English rugby coaching resources. Scott Robertson had been highly touted by media, yet the RFU has returned to a traditional figure in the 57-time capped former England captain.
Steve Borthwick England Rugby new chief
In a personal message, Borthwick spoke of his ambitions in this new role. “The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team that makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did. I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play.
“The hard work starts now and planning for the Guinness Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything.”
"𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿…" 🌹
Watch Steve Borthwick's first interview as England men's head coach. pic.twitter.com/PYRfo4PtaT
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 19, 2022
Kevin Sinfield has also been appointed to the position of England men’s defence coach, taking on the role this week. Sinfield said: “It is a special moment to join England as a coach. I know what representing your country means and to get the chance to do it as a coach is a real honour.
The wider coaching team to support Borthwick will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Steve Borthwick England Rugby era will start on February 4, when they host Scotland at Twickenham, for the Calcutta Cup. The new coach will want to retake ownership of that trophy, in his first outing as the ‘new chief’ of the team carrying the famous red rose.
“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images
