Wallabies 'challenge' excites Parling

Former England forward is now helping Australia build a team ready for the next Lions tour and a home World Cup

- Andy Bull

Time was, and not so long ago, when Steve Borthwick and Geoff Parling were squaring off against each other at lineouts, Borthwick at Saracens, Parling for Leicester. In the early 2010s the clubs were often drawn together in the playoffs – there were a couple of finals in 2010 and 2011, a semi in 2012. "Humdingers," Parling says now.

A decade later, they will be at it again at Twickenham on Saturday, as coaches this time. Borthwick, of course, with England, and Parling with Australia, where he works as Joe Schmidt's right-hand man.

They're similar sorts, plenty tough, but soft-spoken and studious, too. It was Parling who took on Borthwick's role as the brains behind England's lineout in their playing days, and you guess they would be happy to stay up talking to each other about plays and calls long after everyone else at the table had gone to bed.