Rugby’s Coaching Conundrum: Borthwick Defends England Environment
Turbulent Summer for England Rugby
Steve Borthwick, England’s head coach, has faced a tumultuous summer, marked by the departure of two key coaching staff members. David Rogers/Getty Images capture the intensity of the situation.
A Summer of Departures
Aled Walters, head of strength and conditioning, and Felix Jones, defence coach, both handed in their resignations in August. Walters will join the Ireland setup, while Jones will work remotely, focusing on analysis, during his 12-month notice period. This unexpected turn of events has raised questions about the environment within the England camp.
Borthwick’s Response
“I respect their decisions, although it was disappointing and surprising,” Borthwick said, addressing the departures. “Every case is individual, and I understand that situations like this happen in professional sport.” He emphasized that working for England remains a highly coveted position in world rugby, citing the impressive calibre of applications received for the vacant roles.
New Additions and Future Plans
To fill the gaps, Joe El-Abd has been appointed as defence coach, combining his England responsibilities with his director of rugby role at Oyonnax until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Dan Tobin will lead the strength and conditioning programme during the autumn internationals. Borthwick’s top choice to replace Walters is Phil Morrow, Saracens’ general manager, but negotiations are ongoing due to contractual obligations.
The Morrow Conundrum
Borthwick remains committed to bringing Morrow on board, stating, “He wants to [join], I want him to [join], the players want to be coached by him, so hopefully we can make that happen.” However, the RFU’s proposal for a job-sharing system was rejected by the Gallagher Premiership clubs, leaving compensation or resignation as the only options.
A Solution on the Horizon?
While a resolution may not be reached in time for the Six Nations, Borthwick hopes a solution will be found in the future, emphasizing the importance of minimizing disruption to England’s clubs. As he navigates this challenging period, Borthwick remains focused on improving and evolving the team.
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