Borthwick right for England but don't expect World Cup miracle

THE RFU is making a big mistake if it thinks Steve Borthwick is the man to win next year’s World Cup for England.

- Neil Squires

Borthwick has done a great job at Leicester Tigers and is a good man but he is the wrong fit for the situation England find themselves in.

It is all about the timing here and the timing is out.

Having sacked Eddie Jones just nine months out from the tournament, it is asking an awful lot of an individual with no experience as an international head coach to adapt to its unique demands and learn its pitfalls with so little time to play with.

Borthwick, when the negotiations with Leicester are concluded and his appointment confirmed, will have just nine Tests under his belt as England head coach when the World Cup kicks off in France.

Compare that to the head coaches of England’s main rivals.

Ian Foster will have 38 with New Zealand, Andy Farrell will have 39 with Ireland, Fabien Galthie 40 with France. Jacques Nienaber of South Africa will have 31.

Perhaps it is Nienaber’s boss Rassie Erasmus who RFU bosses were thinking of as the template for the Borthwick approach.