column that he was “convinced” Robertson would be the “perfect successor” to Jones.
Danny Care has revealed what message he sent to outgoing England coach Eddie Jones following his sacking by the RFU on Tuesday.
While Care wasn’t involved in the Autumn Nations Series, he did play for England during the summer’s tour of Australia and was a key player for his country when Jones first took over in 2016.
Danny Care on Eddie Jones’ sacking:
“It’s a bit of a weird one, isn’t it? It’s a bit surreal. Obviously it seems like everyone knew it was happening in the last few days but you actually see it and Eddie’s gone.. it’s a weird feeling,” Care admitted.
“I think everyone’s probably just a bit shocked. No one really knows what’s happening now. Obviously it sounds like Richard Cockerill is in for the interim, but how long is that for?
His message to Jones:
Care revealed he thanked Jones for giving him his “greatest moment in an England shirt.” said Care, who was appearing on the
BBC’s Rugby Union Daily podcast.
“Everyone’s gonna have a different relationship with Eddie. My relationship with Eddie, although people think it probably isn’t good, I think we’re actually in quite a good spot,” Care said.
“I dropped him a text today just to say thanks for everything you did for me, I wish him all the best in the future… hopefully we can share a bottle of wine at some point.
“He gave me my greatest moment in an England shirt, he gave me that start in the Grand Slam game (against Scotland in 2016).
“I do owe a lot to him, obviously I didn’t play for a few years under him but he also gave me my best moment in an England shirt.
“For me he’ll always be thought of highly in my thoughts as one of my greatest coaches I’ve ever worked with.”
Danny Care facts:
- Care won silver with England in rugby sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, featuring in a squad including future XVs team-mates Mathew Tait and Tom Varndell
- He earned his first England cap in June 2008 in a 37-20 defeat by New Zealand in Auckland
- An increasingly prominent voice in the rugby media, Care co-hosts the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast and occasionally works as a pundit for BT Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live
- He won his second Premiership title in 2021, as Harlequins came back from 28-0 down to beat Bristol Bears in their semi-final
Next England Rugby Head Coach odds:
#8. Gareth Southgate - 500/1
#7. Jonny Wilkinson - 50/1
#6. Sir Clive Woodward - 30/1
Sir Clive Woodward watches Chelsea v Manchester United from the stands at Stamford Bridge. - Photo mandatory by-line: Dan Weir/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 18/04/15 - SPORT - Football- Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League - Premiership - Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London.
#5. Rob Baxter - 15/1
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on 23 Apr. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#4. Mark McCall - 10/1
#3. Scott Robertson - 4/1
Mike Brown, the former England fullback who captained the Barbarians against Harlequins, wrote in his Mail on Sunday
Scott Robertson facts:
- Robertson showed huge ambition as he outlined a goal to win the World Cup with two different countries
- His position as a player was flanker and he played for Bay of Plenty, Perpignan, Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks
- Robertson is known for his post victory match break dancing routine
#2. Richard Cockerill - 3/1
#1. Steve Borthwick - 2/1
The former England captain worked with Jones for five years in the England set-up as forwards coach, and a further three years as assistant coach in Japan before that.
Having taken charge of the Tigers in 2020, Borthwick has overseen a huge turnaround at the club, transforming them from Premierships strugglers to pace-setters at the top of the table.
Steve Borthwick and Neal Hatley talk before the Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
As such, his is a name very much linked to the England post.
The Leicester job is the first head coaching gig in his career, however, so the 42-year-old would be thrown in very green.
Borthwick, who picked up 57 Test caps as a player between 2001 and 2010, recently said he has "enough on my plate" at Leicester, but if England did come calling, it would be hard for him to say no.
Sources suggest the Aussie will receive between £700,000 and £800,000 pay-out. To land Borthwick from Leicester would require a payout in the region of £200,000 to get Tigers to release him from his current contract.
