Eddie Jones backs Steve Borthwick for England job
- 2041
In the Eddie Jones Podcast released on Tuesday, the England head coach has backed former Bath and Saracens lock Steve Borthwick as the right man to succeed him for the top job.
In the sixth and final episode of the podcast, Jones talks through a coach's journey, when to cut players, as well as his belief that Borthwick's Leicester job will help give him the necessary experience to one day become England head coach.
“Steve did two years in Japan and four and a half years with England and did an absolutely superb job for us," said the 60-year-old.
"It is time now to take his own job. He will go through his own apprenticeship as head coach and he will learn a lot and keep progressing. One day there is no doubt he will good enough to coach England.”
Borthwick was named to take the reigns at Leicester Tigers back in January and has spent the last six years working alongside Jones, initially spending two seasons with him at the Japanese national team before moving to be his No.2 at England following the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The 40-year-old, who will take over from now director of rugby Geordan Murphy, will begin his new role at Welford Road Stadium on July 1st, and has said he aims to take the club “back to the top”.
“To get Leicester back to the top is a great challenge and one I am very excited about," he said.
“We realise we have a lot of work to do and I know everybody at the club is determined to work tirelessly to succeed in this challenge. We also know every single one of our fantastic supporters will be doing all they can to help drive this team forward.
“What has been evident to me is that the pain caused by Tigers being where the club is on the table has been felt by everyone – the players, coaches, staff and supporters. This is something we need to change and we will do so by pulling everyone who is a part of this club even tighter to the team and taking on opponents together.”
Leicester Tigers in the Premiership last season, their worst ever finish, and are in the same place this season.
