Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'I'm delighted for Eddie that he is coaching his home country'

By PA
Eddie Jones (R) the head coach looks on with skills coach Steve Borthwick during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between England and Ireland at Twickenham (Photo by David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Steve Borthwick insists his focus is on Scotland and not a potential World Cup collision course with Eddie Jones after his coaching mentor was placed in charge of Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Borthwick and Jones could go head to head in the quarter-finals, creating a fascinating sub plot to the tournament being staged in France later this year.

Jones was sacked by England last month after presiding over a dismal 2022 and has been replaced by Borthwick, his former number two with Japan and at Twickenham.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

In a twist of fate the Rugby Football Union must have been dreading, Jones has been contracted by the Wallabies until the 2027 World Cup.

Borthwick, however, is concentrating only on the Six Nations opener against Scotland after naming his first squad since succeeding Jones.

“I know the World Cup is around the corner but in 19 days’ time we play Scotland and that’s our focus,” Borthwick said.

“I’m delighted for Eddie that he is coaching his home country. The day that I was announced as England head coach he sent me a message wishing me the very best and this morning (Monday) I sent him a message wishing him the very best.”

ADVERTISEMENT

When asked if he had preferred Jones to take another role, Borthwick said: “Nothing to do with me, my job is to coach the England rugby team.

“I’ve talked about the team we wish to build. Every England supporter wants to see an England team that plays with courage and fight in every single contest and that finds a way to win. It’s our job to coach that team.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Namibia vs United Arab Emirates | Asia/Africa Rugby World Cup Play-off | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 5

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

Play Video

The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

Play Video

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Pocket rockets who lit up Junior Boks’ WC triumph show stars are aligned in SA game Pocket rockets who lit up Junior Boks’ WC triumph show stars are aligned in SA game