'Glue behind the scenes' to succeed Eddie Jones

IT has always been a question of when, not if, Steve Borthwick would take charge of England.

- DUNCAN BECH

Eddie Jones' former number two, the man seen as the glue behind the scenes of one of the most successful periods in English rugby history, looks set to succeed his coaching mentor, who has been sacked nine months out from the World Cup.

The timeframe for his likely ascent to the throne may have been accelerated by the team's unacceptable malaise under Jones, but the 43-year-old Cumbrian has been destined for the role since he hung up is boots in 2014.

A tough second-row who played his entire professional career at Bath and Saracens, Borthwick amassed 57 caps for England and served as captain for the last two years of his time as an international.

From an early stage he proved a natural leader, his rugby intelligence matched by total commitment to the team, making him a central figure in every rugby environment he has worked in.