Steve Borthwick responds to speculation over Kevin Sinfield's England future
Amid speculation that Steve Borthwick's assistant coach Kevin Sinfield will step down from his England duties at the end of the World Cup, the head coach remained tight lipped when asked about the rumours this week.
England head into their final match of the World Cup this Friday against Argentina in the bronze final- a repeat of their opening match of the tournament. Reports emerged after the semi-final loss to South Africa that the rugby league legend will be leaving Borthwick's coaching staff after the World Cup with the imminent arrival of South Africa assistant coach Felix Jones.
When quizzed about Sinfield's future after England's captain's run at the Stade de France on Thursday, Borthwick said that he has learnt in his time in charge of England that it is "unwise" to comment on all rumours that circulate.
"I’ve been in this job nine, 10 months," the former Leicester Tigers head coach said. "One thing I’ve learnt very quickly it’s impossible and unwise to comment on every rumour and piece of speculation that is thrown out. I make no comment."
Sinfield joined England as defence coach alongside Borthwick at the end of 2022 following the departure of Eddie Jones. Though it took a while to see results, Sinfield's work with England has bore fruit this World Cup.
England have conceded the joint-fewest tries of any team at the World Cup, with seven, despite going deep into the tournament. On top of that, they completed 86% of the tackles against South Africa last weekend, their highest success-rate so far this World Cup, which shows the progress they have made throughout the tournament.
Having lost to England 27-10 on the opening weekend of the tournament, lock Maro Itoje is all too aware that the Pumas will be seeking revenge on Friday in Paris.
"We are competing for third place at this World Cup, so there's loads to be motivated about," the Saracen said.
"I guess, from their point of view, we beat them earlier they'll probably want to turn that around.
"It's going to be a great contest. Two teams coming off the back of a loss wanting to get it right."
Latest Comments
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
Go to comments