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Steve Borthwick's revised England role leaves fans confused
By Josh Raisey
Eddie Jones has announced his new-look coaching team ahead of the Six Nations, but it is a returning face that is raising some questions.
The Australian has opted to retain John Mitchell as defence coach after their impressive World Cup, while England sevens coach Simon Amor replaces Scott Wisemantel as attack coach after he joined the Wallabies.
Elsewhere, Steve Borthwick has moved from his role as forwards coach to become a skills coach, making way for Matt Proudfoot.
The former Scotland international is fresh from guiding the Springboks to World Cup glory as forwards coach, orchestrating the demolition of England’s pack in the final.
This is a major coup and Jones will be hoping that he will be able to help England’s pack become as dominant as South Africa’s.
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It is Borthwick’s new position, though, that is raising some questions as there had been months of speculation following the RWC regarding his future.
Many expected the former England captain to team up with the struggling Leicester Tigers as forwards coach in the hope of turning their season around.
While it is still expected he will join the Tigers after the Six Nations, some people are wondering why he does not move now as he is no longer England’s forwards coach.
However, after such a long time under Jones, having worked alongside him with Japan, keeping Borthwick in the coaching team may allow a smoother transition under Proudfoot.
Nonetheless, it still seems to be a perplexing position for someone that is in demand elsewhere.
Proudfoot has spoken very highly of the England team since joining and he is inheriting a formidable pack as well.
While the Springboks were able to maul Jones’ men in the RWC final, few teams in world rugby can match the power and dynamism of the group Proudfoot is now training.
It’s under three weeks until the Six Nations starts, with England travelling to the Stade de France on February 2 to take on a new French coaching team that are at the beginning of a new era under Fabien Gathie.
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Latest Comments
That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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