Steve Borthwick speaks out after replacing Eddie Howe as England coach

Steve Borthwick speaks out after replacing Eddie Howe as England coach

12/19/2022

Steve Borthwick says he wants to build a successful and inspiring team after replacing Eddie Jones as England head coach.

The former Leicester coach, who emerged as the favourite to replace Jones after Australian Jones was sacked earlier in the month, has signed a five-year deal.

Ex-England captain Borthwick led Leicester to their first Premiership title in nine years last season and worked as Jones’ assistant with Japan and England.

The 43-year-old will begin his reign as England boss on February 4 in the Six Nations opener against Scotland.

‘I’m deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach, and I am very excited by the challenge,’ Borthwick said. ‘I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play.

‘The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team which makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did.

‘The hard work starts now and planning for the Guinness Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything.’

Borthwick starred for Saracens and Bath during his playing career and earned 57 England caps before retiring in 2014.

He takes over an England side who have won just five of their 12 Tests in 2022 ahead of next year’s World Cup, which will be hosted by France.

Following Borthwick’s departure from Leicester, Richard Wigglesworth will end his playing career to step in as the club’s interim head coach.

While England have endured a difficult run under Jones, the 62-year-old led the team to three Six Nations titles in his seven-year spell in charge and took them to the 2019 World Cup final.

‘I am pleased with much that we have achieved as an England team and I look forward to watching the team’s performance in the future,’ Jones said.

‘Many of the players and I will no doubt keep in touch and I wish them all well in their future careers.’

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