Steve Borthwick expects 'seamless' England transition despite backroom staff upheaval ahead of autumn internationals
Published 16/10/2024 at 18:27 GMT+1
Steve Borthwick has moved to ease fears that the Englanddressing room might be upset by recent upheaval in his backroom team. The 45-year-old has been forced to appoint a new defence coach, as well as a new addition to the strength and conditioning department, after a couple of high-profile departures. He says the transition will be "seamless" as his team prepare for the Autumn Internationals.
Lozowski, Cowan-Dickie back as England start Autumn Nations Series prep
Video credit: SNTV
England head coach Steve Borthwick insists the upheaval to his backroom staff will not lead to any negative impact on the field.
The 45-year-old has just named his squad for the Autumn Internationals, which will be broadcast exclusively on TNT Sports and discovery+.
But he has done so after seeing defence coach Felix Jones resign, while Ireland have poached head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters.
The former has been replaced by Joe El-Abd, while Dan Tobin has taken over from Walters. Richard Wigglesworth has also been promoted to assistant head coach.
Ahead of the first Test against New Zealand in early November, Borthwick is certain his players will not be affected by the enforced changes.
“I see that as being pretty seamless in terms of the way we operate," he said. "There is a whole lot of consistency there in Richard Wigglesworth, Tom Harrison, Kevin Sinfield and Andrew Strawbridge.
- Slade, Curry named in England squad for Autumn Nations Series; Mitchell, Dingwall miss out
- 'It's been horrible' - Wales' Jenkins to miss Autumn Nations Series
- 'This is an exciting time' - England coach Wigglesworth promoted to Borthwick's No. 2
“Clearly there’s a change with Felix deciding he didn’t want to work with the England team going forward, but Joe’s a coach I’ve known and respected for a long time.
“We know each other pretty well and he’s also somebody who has visited the camp many times previously. He has a pretty good understanding of how we operate.”
The departures of Jones and Walters came as a major blow for England, who are preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
But with three years to go until the tournament gets underway, the hope is that there is still plenty of time left in the cycle for the players to get used to the new structure.
Borthwick guided the 2003 winners to third place in 2023, agonisingly losing to South Africa in the semi-final before defeating Argentina in the bronze medal match.
The Red Roses are desperate to go at least one step further when they head Down Under, but Borthwick insists he has not thought that far ahead yet.
“It’s not something I’m considering, because, as you’d expect, my attention is on the games that are right in front of us,” Borthwick said.
“Analysis is one of Felix’s great strengths as a coach and he’s been analysing and studying the opposition. He’s also been doing the handover and transition to Joe El-Abd to take our defence forward.”
El-Abd will combine his England duties with his role at French club Oyonnax until the end of the season.
Tobin, on the other hand, is in post until Phil Morrow can be prised away from Saracens.
Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?
In April, it was announced that TNT Sports would broadcast every game of this year's Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and UK kick-off times.
WEEK 1
November 2
- England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Scotland v Fiji, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
WEEK 2
November 8
- Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 9
- England v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, kick-off: 17:40
- France v Japan, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 10
ADVERTISING
- Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 3
November 15
- Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 16
- Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- England v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- France v New Zealand, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 17
- Italy v Georgia, TBC, kick-off: 13:40
- Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 4
November 22
- France v Argentina, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 23
- Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 24
- Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 5
November 30
- Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement