Boss with weight of world on shoulders as he faces England's finest

Borthwick bid risks being overshadowed by rivals passed over by RFU

- Nick Purewal

THE most decorated, in-demand English coaches are all in France this week. The Rugby World Cup starts tonight, so of course they are. The problem is that not one of them is coaching the England rugby team.

Steve Borthwick is England boss, hurriedly thrust into the role in December when Eddie Jones was sacked for at least two wretched years - but in alarmist fashion given the proximity of the World Cup.

RFU chiefs insist Borthwick was their long-term target, and the overwhelming first choice for the role after interviewing and canvassing the views of a whopping 57 global rugby brains. Leading English lights Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Mike Catt and Stuart Lancaster are all strutting their stuff in France.

That none of them would be in the frame for a role with England speaks volumes about the RFU's disarray under chief executive Bill Sweeney.

Defence supremo Edwards could spur hosts France to their first World Cup title, Farrell and Catt coach the world's top-ranked team in Ireland and Lancaster has just joined Parisian aristocrat club Racing 92. All four have slipped through RFU fingers with varying degrees of absurdity, which bites all the harder given England's chaotic World Cup preparation.

Borthwick led Leicester to the 2022 Gallagher Premiership title, and was forwards coach when England reached the 2019 World Cup final. The 43-yearold former England captain is doubtless a coach of great promise.