Yahoo News Imagining Steve Borthwick's England: The line-up, the captain and the coaches
Part of the reason Eddie Jones lost his job as England head coach was that his team had lost its tactical identity. They seemed to be stretching across two stools and continually fell between them. Without a robust foundation, they became cripplingly inconsistent from game-to-game and appeared to suffer scatter-brained lapses within matches as well.
Although he might not be the sexiest appointment, and is not a renowned surfer, the fastidious Steve Borthwick would undoubtedly help England to re-establish a sense of self. Ironically, this is the brief that Jones heralded upon his arrival. The direction he imparted – with the help of Borthwick as assistant – spurred 22 wins in 23 Tests across 2016 and 2017.
Fast forward to the present day. New Zealand have nestled into third place in World Rugby’s rankings, but the nations around the All Blacks in the top four, Ireland, France and South Africa, seem best placed to launch a tilt at the Webb Ellis trophy in 2023. Each of those three have a steadfast strength to hang their hat on, and are improving in other areas to complement that quality.
Under Andy Farrell – like Borthwick, a fellow member of Brendan Venter’s coaching tree at Saracens – Ireland have developed their fluent, intricate phase-play to the point where they can overwhelm just about any defence, particularly when Johnny Sexton is pulling strings. As their recent victory over the Springboks demonstrated, their attacking and defensive mauling is now extremely effective as well.
France have not compromised on offloading flow or individual flair, but they possess an ultra-disciplined kicking game. They prioritise territory and kick until their opponents cough up a counter-attacking opportunity. Les Bleus remain ferociously disruptive defenders as well. But Shaun Edwards is proud of the fact that they have only shipped one yellow card and one red one – Antoine Dupont’s sending-off against South Africa – over the past 15 Tests.
Finally, to South Africa. Their traditional strengths of contestable kicking, breakdown spoiling and set-piece power were all on display at Twickenham in a 27-13 victory that ushered in the demise of Jones. With Willie le Roux and diminutive hot-steppers such as Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the field, the Springboks’ staples will always be accompanied by game-breaking potential.
What, then, can we expect from Borthwick’s England? Well, the 43-year-old only left Jones’ set-up in July 2020. He knows the vast majority of players and is popular among them for his dedication and diligence. Maro Itoje adopted an awestruck tone when he once pronounced that Borthwick should have a double doctorate in lineout strategy. Owen Farrell and Jamie George are former Saracens teammates, as well. The mutual respect will be palpable.
Naturally, there are intriguing pointers across the two and a half years that Borthwick has spent at Leicester. Ahead of his title-winning Premiership campaign, he appointed Ellis Genge as captain and cited three criteria. As well as marking out a fine player, and someone who would exude tenacity, Borthwick highlighted Genge’s approachability and emotional intelligence. The loosehead prop is already a vice-captain, and could well find himself promoted for the upcoming Six Nations.
Though only 21, and having just returned from a long injury lay-off, Dan Kelly could find himself in line to add to his single cap at inside centre. When Borthwick has fielded two distributors in his Tigers backlines, he has tended to do so at fly-half and full-back rather than as a 10-12 axis. Ollie Lawrence impressed for Bath against Leicester recently, too.
Borthwick tends to field resourceful, rangy men at blindside flanker. Ollie Chessum and George Martin are two more youngsters to have emerged at Tigers and Hanro Liebenberg has become captain since the departure of Genge to Bristol. Then again, Borthwick’s lineout nous must have been a key factor in allowing Jones to combine Tom Curry with Sam Underhill at the 2019 World Cup. Indeed, the flagship performance of the Jones era, which swept aside New Zealand, was founded on the set-piece smarts of Borthwick.
Fierce jackalling is another pillar of Leicester’s approach, which dovetails neatly with their kicking game. Aled Walters, whom we will come onto, told Telegraph Sport that Borthwick reminded him of Rassie Erasmus in how much he valued toughness. Guy Porter and Harry Potter are archetypal Borthwick players. Craft, clearly, leaves an impression as well. George Ford was supreme for Leicester last season as the chief conductor of their territory-first approach. Both last season and this, Tigers have been the only club to average over 1,000 kicking metres per game. However, Borthwick has recruited Phil Cokanasiga, an evasive centre, from London Irish and gliding wing Ollie Hassell-Collins is believed to be on the way.
As for revamping the coaching ticket, either immediately or in the summer, Walters would provide both World Cup-winning pedigree from his Springboks stint and humour. The affable Welshman has been called the yin to the yang of Borthwick. Together, they foster an intense yet rewarding environment. Kevin Sinfield is another immensely charismatic presence. His chief remit might be defensive structure, but the resourceful rugby league icon could muck in with tackle technique, kicking and gain-line distribution.
Walters, Sinfield or Richard Wigglesworth, should the ex-scrum-half join follow Borthwick, might share media duties as well. A blend of personalities decorates all successful coaching teams. South Africa, for instance, have ebullient Erasmus and the methodical Jacques Nienaber as top dogs.
Leicester have been reliant on mauling in recent times. They have registered just 30 tries in nine matches this season and are averaging 347 running metres a game, with only Gloucester lower on the latter score. That said, in their best performances – a thrashing of Clermont and the Premiership final victory over Saracens – they have connected defensive pressure with clinical passing and dynamic running.
If Borthwick wants a total revamp of his backroom, the intuitive Sam Vesty of Northampton Saints or Peter Wilkins of Connacht might be canny additions as attack coach. The latter has overseen defence as well, and was part of Ireland’s series win over New Zealand. Nick Evans has fostered an intrepid attitude at Harlequins and would in be in the conversation. Kevin Sorrell is an influential lieutenant of Mark McCall and Ian Peel could be prised from Saracens for scrum detail.
A more experienced figure with Test experience might balance things out and provide perspective. Whatever transpires, Borthwick must be given carte blanche to assemble his own team. His strength is the ability to impart alignment and clarity. That needs a stable base.
Imagining Steve Borthwick’s England team to face Scotland on February 4
Freddie Steward; Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Dan Kelly, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Owen Farrell, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge (captain), Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Ted Hill, Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Val Rapava-Ruskin, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence
Courtney Lawes, Raffi Quirke, George Ford and Henry Arundell not considered due to long-term injuries
Coaching team
Head coach: Steve Borthwick
Defence coach: Kevin Sinfield or Peter Wilkins
Attack coach: Sam Vesty, Peter Wilkins or Kevin Sorrell
Scrum coach: Ian Peel
Strength and conditioning: Aled Walters
