#4. Steve Borthwick (England) 5/1
Borthwick’s professional career began in 1998, when at the age of 19, he made his debut for Bath against Saracens.
He went on to earn 246 caps for the West Country club, captaining them to the 2007/08 European Challenge Cup title, and announcing his move to Saracens at the end of that season.
He notched up 144 appearances in his six years with the north London club before retiring at the end of the 2013/14 season. Borthwick also boasted an impressive international career. Making his England debut in the 2001 Six Nations against France, his career spanned nine years and 57 caps – 21 of them as captain.
Eddie Jones was quick to appoint Borthwick as Japan’s forwards coach in 2012 immediately after ending his playing career, and later recruited him for the same role with England in December 2015, where he played a key role in developing England’s pack.
In his time with the national team Borthwick oversaw two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016, a 3-0 Test series win in Australia the same year, an unbeaten run of 18 matches, and a Rugby World Cup in Japan. He was also part of the British & Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017 which saw the side draw a Test series against the All Blacks.
Borthwick was appointed head coach of Leicester Tigers in the middle of 2020, where he led them to the 2021/22 Premiership title – their first since 2013.
#3. Gregor Townsend (Scotland) – 9/2
ownsend took on the position of Scotland Head Coach in the summer of 2017 after five seasons at the helm of Glasgow Warriors.
The Gala man made an immediate impact at the Scotstoun club, leading the side into the Play-Offs in his first season (2012/13) before reaching the PRO12 Final in 2014, ultimately losing to Leinster.
In 2015, however, Townsend led Glasgow to title success, defeating Munster 31-13 to lift the Guinness PRO12 trophy, before enjoying another first in his final year, when the club reached the knockout rounds of the European Champions Cup for the first time.
Townsend was named Guinness PRO12 Coach of the Year twice during his time in the west of the Scotland, a club he joined from his position as Assistant Coach to the Andy Robinson with the naitonal team (2009-2012).
Capped 82 times for his country and twice capped by the British Lions, Townsend played for his home town side, Gala RFC, before joining Northampton Saints and then French club, Brive.
In 2000 he joined the Top14 side Castres Olympique before returning home to play for the Borders professional outfit.
He has also represented Natal Sharks in the Super 12 and returned again to France for season 2004/5 with Montpellier.
He rejoined the Borders as player/coach for the 2005/6 season.