Borthwick to leave England assistant coach role as replacement named
Steve Borthwick is to leave his role as England assistant coach with Jason Ryles due to replace him in November, the Rugby Football Union has announced.
Borthwick, who has helped England to two Six Nations titles and was part of the coaching staff when the British & Irish Lions drew their Test series with New Zealand in 2017, will leave Eddie Jones’ staff at the end of the season and is widely expected to join Leicester.
He has worked with Jones since the latter appointed him as Japan’s forwards coach in 2012 soon after he ended a playing career in which he represented England 57 times.
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Jones said: “I have had a great seven years with Steve. He is a loyal, hard-working and analytical coach but I understand he needs now to get out on his own following this campaign. He’s made that decision and we are really pleased for him.
“He created a great lineout for England and really developed the young guys. If you look at someone like Maro Itoje, he’s become a world-class lock under Steve. He has also turned our maul into a weapon for us and he’s done brilliant work co-ordinating the England programme. We will miss him greatly.”
Borthwick said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved as a team since 2016, culminating in a Rugby World Cup Final last year.
“Having come back from Japan, spent time with my family and reflected on my time with England, I have decided to step away from the role towards the end of the season.”
Ryles is due to join the England set-up in November, moving from Australian rugby league team Melbourne Storm, where he has been assistant since 2016.
He said: “I am really excited about the opportunity to work in a world-class programme with the England national team and someone like Eddie with his experience is very appealing for me.
“It will be a real honour to work with some of the best coaches and so many quality England players.”
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This cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
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