It's less than nine months until the Rugby World Cup gets underway in France, and English rugby is at the crossroads again.
After weeks of speculation, the inevitable axe as fallen on head coach Eddie Jones after the Australian failed to persuade RFU bosses to let him lead the side into 2023. Whilst Jones was so often the master of instigating sudden media frenzy during his tenure, by contrary, his departure was more akin to a slow death following England's underwhelming Autumn campaign.
It brings to an end a seven-year reign which incorporated a World Cup final in 2019, a Grand Slam, and three Six Nations titles, but also one later plagued by poor performance and disharmony. And now it appears that Steve Borthwick, a meticulous planner who led the Leicester Tigers to the English Premiership title last season, will soon be confirmed as his successor.
Who is England's head coach in waiting?
In reality, even the most casual of English rugby followers will be familiar with Steve Borthwick. The second row became an iconic figure during a 10-year stint with Bath from 1998-2008, and achieved similar status at Saracens where he spent six seasons before retiring with a Premiership winners medal to his name.
His international career also yielded 57 caps, but with World Cup heartache to boot. He narrowly missed out on a place in Sir Clive Woodward's triumphant squad in 2003, and failed to feature in the knockout stages four years later when England were runners up in France.
But the coaching credentials are evidently there. After stints with Japan and Bristol, he spent five years in the England set-up serving as Jones' forwards coach. He took over at Leicester for the Covid-19 affected 2020/21 campaign, but it was last season which undoubtedly propelled him into the frame to replace Jones, with The Tigers landing a first title since 2012/13.
What Borthwick will have to urgently address
It's short-sighted to simply list 'results' as a priority, that's a given for international coaches who harbour hopes of Six Nations and World Cup glory. But undoubtedly, the dispensation awarded to Jones for his often controversial and divisive behaviour evaporated this year as England's form plundered.
Defeats to Scotland, Ireland, and France signified and underwhelming Six Nations campaign, although a 2-1 series win over a dishevelled Australia temporarily eased pressure. But meek home defeats to Argentina and South Africa this Autumn meant even a thrilling comeback draw with New Zealand couldn't salvage Jones' job. A 2022 record of won five, drawn one, lost six, seems yet more underwhelming given that record includes successes over Italy and Japan.
Key to getting results though, will be utilising a backline brimming with pace and potential. That may mean a brave call from Borthwick, who now has to decide whether playing the mercurial Marcus Smith, and ever reliable Owen Farrell, in the same side is hindering the side's threat.
The presence of Farrell is arguably suppressing the free flowing skills of the Harlequins' No 10, a generational talent that England can simply not afford to waste. Add into the mix the game-breaking abilities of Henry Slade, Jonny May, and Freddie Steward, and it's a backline that has tries in their armoury. Borthwick must find the selection formula to let them loose.
And whilst total rugby for 80 minutes is an unfathomable concept, England's play in the Autumn, that surreal final few minutes against the All Blacks aside, was laboured and predictable. In some respects, Borthwick must go back to the future, and rediscover the interplay between forwards and backs that signified Jones' side in that World Cup three years ago.
But off the field, the 43-year-old also has issues to address. Relations between Jones and the RFU became further strained this year when he blamed the country's public school system for stifling English talent. The frequent turnover of backroom staff hinted at further internal strife. Borthwick needs to establish a harmonious environment, where coach, players, and senior figures are pulling in the same direction, or as Jones has soon discovered to his peril, empathy will be in short supply when tough times surface.
