England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot will be the first major casualty to the backroom staff following the departure of Eddie Jones.
Steve Borthwick was unveiled as the Aussies successor less than 48 hours after his final game in charge of Leicester.
South Africa’s RWC winning assistant coach in 2019, was appointed as an England Forwards Coach for the 2020 Six Nations.
According to latest reports, Proudfoot and Brett Hodgson are poised to be relieved of their duties this week.
Born in Klerksdorp, Proudfoot won four Scotland caps as a prop from 1998/2003 and also played for Northern Transvaal, Melrose, Edinburgh, Glasgow Warriors, the Leopards and the Blue Bulls.
A scrum specialist, he worked with the Stormers, Western Province and Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers in Japan before joining the South Africa coaching team as an assistant in 2016. Under his guidance, North-West University lifted the 2008 National Club Championship.
According to Afrikaans media outlet Rapport, Proudfoot will soon be named new head coach of South African university heavyweights Maties in the Varsity Cup.
Rapport also suggests that the 50-year-old approached the Vodacom Bulls about a possible position.
Dan Cole recalled:
Dan Cole is on course to be recalled by England for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final as new boss Steve Borthwick looks to make a number of major changes.
Borthwick started his playing career at Preston Grasshoppers, he represented England Schools, Colts U21 and Saxons.
35-year-old Tigers prop Cole, who is the in-form Premiership tight-head, will be recalled by Borthwick for the Six Nations according to The Telegraph.
The former England captain’s first match in charge will be the Six Nations opener against Scotland on 4 February and the Rugby Football Union said the rest of his coaching team would be announced “in the coming weeks”.
Below, using how he has set up at Leicester, we take a look at how England’s XV might look under Borthwick.
Fans have widely speculated that Ellis Genge, who was his captain during their Premiership triumph, could be given the armband.
Steve Borthwick’s England XV
Back-three:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
- 11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)
Centres:
- 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
- 12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath)
