Leicester Tigers may block England from nabbing one of their most valuable assets in Kevin Sinfield. After Eddie Jones was relieved of his duties as the national side’s coach on Tuesday, reports suggest Steve Borthwick, current coach of the Leicester Tigers, is the favourite to replace him.
Sinfield, 42, is the team’s defence coach and Borthwick is keen to bring the Leeds Rhinos legend to the national side, along with fitness guru Aled Walters. The Tigers will not stand in the way of Brothwck leaving to coach England, and the national governing body will have to pay Leicester for taking their title-winning head coach mid-season.
However, it is not a certainty that they will be as forthcoming with Sinfield and Walters, with the possibility of not wanting to be raided so extensively as it would leave them facing a major rebuild in the middle a campaign. This couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Tigers, who were crowned Premiership champions at the end of last season under the tutelage of Borthwick and Sinfield.
Before a permanent coach is appointed, Richard Cockerill — who worked under Jones as forwards coach since September last year — will coach England. But Borthwick iss in line for the job once Jones’ contract was set to expire in June.
Now, with the process being fast-tracked, it is understood Borthwick’s potential release will be a formality once contractual details have been finalised. Jones was sacked following a dismal run of results, the worst since 2008.
Under Jones' tutelage, England reached the 2019 World Cup final and won three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016. But just one win in November and an annual return of only five victories in the last 12 Tests developed an air of gloom surrounding the English game and it ultimately cost him his job.
"It is important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby, winning three Six Nations Championships, one Grand Slam and taking us to a Rugby World Cup Final," said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.
"He has the highest win ratio of any previous England head coach and has helped develop the leadership skills of many players and coaches.
"I am grateful to Eddie for all he has done for England across many areas of the game and the professional way in which he has approached reviewing the performance of the team. He has provided the panel with astute insight and meaningful lessons that will support the team performance going forward."
Sinfield has been widely praised for his work in raising money for Motor Neurone Disease awareness, after former Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the affliction.
The former England rugby league star recently ran seven super marathons in as many days as part of his fundraising efforts.
