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Woodward's first day Borthwick verdict aims a final dig at Jones

Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick (Photo by Clive Rose/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Former England boss Clive Woodward has used his verdict on Steve Borthwick’s first day in the job to take a final few digs at the dismissed Eddie Jones. The Australian was removed as head coach on December 6 after his team recorded just five wins in a dozen matches in 2022, a decline that resulted in the RFU sacking him rather than allowing him to see his contract through to its Rugby World Cup 2023 expiry.

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That decision to part ways with Jones was quickly followed by the recruitment of Borthwick on a five-year deal and the head coach will be joined in the England set-up by his Leicester assistant Kevin Sinfield, the rugby league legend who crossed codes in the summer of 2020 when Borthwick took charge at Welford Road.

It was Monday when Borthwick commenced work as the England boss and with the countdown now on towards his first match versus Scotland on February 4, Woodward has given his first impressions on Borthwick in the role – while also using his views as an opportunity to take a final swipe at Jones.

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Writing in his latest Sportsmail column, ex-England boss Woodward reckoned: “There are three key things you need as an international coach. The first and most important is an outstanding team culture. Borthwick will deliver this almost immediately alongside Sinfield. Don’t forget, they inherit a highly experienced group of players. Borthwick knows them and is popular with them.

“I look forward to hearing less rhetoric from the England camp, assured that internally their coach will instil his expectations and belief in the team and what they can achieve. He will be a breath of fresh air.

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“I was heartened to hear yesterday [Monday] that he still remembers fondly the culture we had when I was in charge. I also think he can show the RFU the way when it comes to a culture of openness and transparency. Borthwick runs an honest environment and the RFU should follow suit. We will now see an end to the merry-go-round of coaches under Jones. The turnover of players and staff was highly unsettling.

“The second thing Borthwick must get right is selection. It is obvious, but Jones got it badly wrong. He wasn’t good at it. I’m now genuinely excited by the Six Nations because none of us know who will be picked. I’m sure we will see new faces.

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“Thirdly, Borthwick must work out how he wants England to play. This is linked to selection. Many will look at Leicester and anticipate him playing the same way with England, but he has more strings to his bow than just that. What works at club level does not necessarily work in Tests.

“The Six Nations will be a baptism of fire… but he is ready for those challenges and I am excited for him and English rugby again. I’m now really looking forward to the next year – and that hasn’t been the case for three years. He is the right man to do it. English fans need to get behind him.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 51 minutes ago
Andy Goode: Aussie comments didn't cover them in glory

Yes I was happy with the refs ruling of arrival (and that the tackled player wasn’t obligated to release the ball immediately) but if you see the wide angle you can note how Morgan dives to get there in time.


I don’t mind your (or the refs) view, but what Morgan said is accurate. Both Mils and Beaver agreed on the breakdown, and you will also get the same view from Aotearoa Rugby Pod guys for a pretty unanimous NZ view.

Sometimes when both players are low its a rugby collision and this is one of those times.

Not recently. In the SR finals and AB v Arg series weve seen players clearly bent 90 at the waist still be penalised, only when the attacker does something the ref sees immediate mitigation and rules a rugby incident. Tizzano didn’t offer that he was always in the position Morgan aimed to collect him in.


Happy to not throw the rule book at these situations but the precent is that they are in these situations.

many tries out wide the player is allowed to be tackled while diving

They are diving for the line, not to avoid being tackled.

“In principle, in a try scoring situation, if the action is deemed to be a dive forward for a try, then it should be permitted. If a player is deemed to have left the ground to avoid a tackle; or to jump, or hurdle a potential tackler, then this is dangerous play and should be sanctioned accordingly.”

You can read Nicks article for an updated discourse on this though.

30 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

But he was wrong, he had to take back what he said. But maybe this only happened because he came out and was honest with his initial plans?


He’s simply in a position where he should be far more professional.


I don’t really follow much media, especially SM, but again, I’ve not seen anyone complaining. Plenty of ridicule and pointing out things like it being disrespectful to the game, but as far as the English language goes, that’s not complaining. Nick Bishop for instance hasn’t been complaining, he’s simply saying Galthie made a bad decision for France’s prospects (which when the common reply is ‘thats how it is’).


Complaining would be views expressing that the FFR should have put the tour back a week so that all T14 finalists could attend. Complaining would be saying they’ve been robbed of seeing the worlds best stars. Complaining would be saying players can simply take extra weeks off from T14. I’ve only seen advice and suggestions that these are things France need to look-at-for-the-future.


Basically I tried to communicate with French fans because they don’t understand what’s being communicated. ALL reactions I have seen shared here by French supports have all seemed way over the top compared what I’ve seen expressed about this tour.

the players are expected to play in too many matches, for too many minutes, and need more rest and recovery time.

This is the message I have been sharing. So something needs to happen, whether thats France pull out of more Internationals or rest players from more domestic games, who knows, but I also don’t think what they have now is working. It’s obviously much better than 3-4 years ago, but they appear to want to work even harder at it like you say. Personally I’ve only seen LNR be reasonable, I hear much less of their other internationals being denied/influenced not to play, so I imagine that they will give even further (as I can’t really see France pulling out the other international windows as well).

147 Go to comments
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