Time for Borthwick to put faith in Itoje

STEVE Borthwick struck a positive note this week when he made it clear that the here-and-now, as in the Six Nations, is his top priority.

-  NICK CAIN

Having ridden shotgun for Eddie Jones as an assistant coach for years, Borthwick knows all about Jones' obsession with World Cups.

He knows also that Jones never got to grips with the Six Nations, outside the 2016 Grand Slam. By doing so, Borthwick has shown that he appreciates how much being Six Nations champions matters to England fans, in a way that the Aussie never grasped.

The biggest adjustment Borthwick has had to make having become head coach for the first time over the last year, is that selection is his top priority - and that the buck stops with him. He has had mixed reviews so far, and his skill as a selector is about to face the sternest test as he undertakes a post World Cup England rebuild.

Borthwick's glowing valedictory to Owen Farrell showed how much he values his former captain's contribution-and it also indicated that he is well aware of the speculation surrounding a Farrell move to France to join Racing 92.