In the midst of a dire financial crisis gripping the world of English rugby, there’s a growing concern that England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, may be deemed ‘unsackable’ due to the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) inability to afford a hefty severance package, regardless of his team’s performance.
As the World Cup kicks off this Friday, England finds themselves ranked as mere long-shot sixth favorites, at best. Borthwick inked a substantial five-year deal just last year, reportedly raking in slightly north of £700,000 annually.
The prospect of terminating Borthwick and his coaching staff’s contracts, especially if England’s World Cup campaign takes a disastrous turn, looms large and could come at an astronomical cost, potentially hovering around the £3 million mark.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the top contenders in the bookmakers’ eyes for the future replacement of the seemingly unmovable Steve Borthwick:
Who could replace Steve Borthwick at Twickenham?
5. Sir Clive Woodward – 20/1
Woodward is the World Cup winning Head Coach who led England’s rugby players to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003.
A former England International and British & Irish Lion himself, prior to his full time coaching career Clive established a successful business career working for nine years with Xerox in the UK and Australia before establishing his own small finance and leasing company.
During Clive’s tenure as Head Coach England moved from 6th in the world to being the number one ranked team, winning every trophy an England team can win.