JONES BELIEVES BORTHWICK'S BEST TO DELIVER DOWN UNDER

EDDIE JONES has told the RFU they would be mad to sack head coach Steve Borthwick, insisting his successor is the man to lead England to the World Cup next year.

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

But Jones, who was in the role for seven years from 2015, fears the union might not be able to resist the din surrounding Borthwick with former players, such as Andy Goode, telling them to sack him.

The review into England’s dismal Six Nations has already started and Borthwick will have to make the case for his retention after an historic low of one win in five games this term.

Former captain Borthwick does have credit in the bank after leading England to 12 consecutive wins up to the opening Six Nations thrashing of Wales.

And Australian Jones, who was sacked in December 2022, less than a year before the previous World Cup in France, insists it would be crazy to bin Borthwick 18 months out from the next one in Australia - despite the outside noise.