Exclusive: Steve Borthwick to be unveiled as England coach on Monday – and Kevin Sinfield is joining him
Borthwick and Sinfield both addressed Leicester squad after Clermont game to inform them they were leaving
Steve Borthwick will be unveiled as the new England head coach on Monday alongside Kevin Sinfield as the national team’s new defence coach after Leicester Tigers accepted a £1 million deal from the Rugby Football Union to secure their services, Telegraph Sport can reveal.
It is understood that Borthwick and Sinfield both addressed the Leicester Tigers’ squad to inform them that they were leaving following the Premiership club’s 23-16 victory over Clermont Auvergne in the Champions’ Cup at Welford Road on Saturday night. It is expected to be the last Leicester game they will be involved with.
Telegraph Sport had first revealed that Borthwick was the overwhelming favourite to succeed Jones once the Australian’s position became untenable but the fact that he will be joined by Sinfield, the former England and Great Britain rugby league star, will be seen as a major coup by the RFU.
Leicester had consistently said they would not stand in Borthwick's way if England came calling but the club earlier in the week had been optimistic of retaining his services and he had been tipped as a potential successor to Borthwick as director of rugby at Leicester.
Borthwick however is understood to have pushed hard for Sinfield to join him in the new England set-up, given the closeness of their working relationship and the impact he has had on turning around the Tigers from the throes of relegation to champions in such a short space of time.
It was an emotional day for Borthwick in particular given that he had guided Leicester to their first Premiership title in a decade last season and had not expected to leave his position at this point of the season before the RFU moved to sack Eddie Jones as England head coach two weeks ago.
It is not yet clear what the future lies for the existing England assistant coaches, although it is thought that Borthwick is likely to retain several of Jones’ former lieutenants.
Sinfield’s acquisition casts severe doubt over the role of Brett Hodgson, who had just joined the England set-up as Jones’ new defence coach after the departure of Anthony Seibold at the end of the autumn Test campaign.
Leicester’s chief executive Andrea Pinchen is expected to address the Tigers’ squad on Monday to update them on the situation and the club have already begun the search for coaching replacements although it will represent a significant disruption to lose both men at a critical time of the season.
It is understood that the RFU’s original plan had been for Borthwick to take up his position in May and work alongside Jones as part of the RFU’s ‘Project Everest’ succession plan. However the poor results this autumn, concern over the constant churn in Jones’ staff and the disconnect between the fans and the England team forced the RFU to bring Jones’ seven-year tenure to a premature end.
And although other head coaches were considered, including Warren Gatland, who has since returned to Wales, Ronan O’Gara and Scott Robertson, Borthwick remained their first choice.
The former England captain, who worked with Jones as an assistant coach at Japan and then for four years at Twickenham, faces an enormous task to turn the side’s fortunes around after their worst calendar year of results since 2008 with five wins from 12 Tests.
Borthwick had earlier given the biggest indication yet he was on the verge of agreeing to take the England job, refusing to confirm he would be in place for the pivotal league fixture against Gloucester on Christmas Eve.
Borthwick has just five competitive matches before the start of the World Cup in France next year, but his first thoughts will be to fast-track preparations for the Six Nations.
“I think right now we want to enjoy the win today,” Borthwick replied. “We’re two from two in the Champions Cup.”
“I understand that everyone has to ask the [England] question and I know you understand why I’m saying that I want to enjoy today’s result,” added the 43-year-old.
“It’s a special club. I feel privileged to be part of it and I’ve got to coach a group of players for the last two and a half years that I care for deeply. There’s not much more I can say at this stage.”