Earlier today, the RFU released a statement saying that Steve Borthwick would be joining their backroom staff alongside his former Coach and colleague Eddie Jones. It was understood that the former England captain, who had been awarded 51 caps, had handed in his resignation today and that he would be joining the England Rugby staff in the coming days, therefore becoming the first acquisition of new man Eddie Jones ahead of the expected arrival of Paul Gustard from Saracens.
However, there was a strange change of events as after this, Bristol, who are currently Borthwick’s employers, told the media that they had not agreed to allow their new coach to leave and that moreover they had not given the RFU permission to speak with Borthwick and would do everything reasonable to ensure that he continued to coach for the Championship side.
Jones has called his former coaching partner during their time together at the Brave Blossoms a “young coach with great potential” and has also praised his analytical approach to the game. These are all signs that England’s new man incharge is determined to add this man to his backroom staff in time for the 6 nations when England kick of their campaign against Scotland at the BT Murrayfield on the 6th of February, as the new replacement for the recently fired Graham Rowntree.
