England are now set to confirm Steve Borthwick as new head coach after Leicester talks breakthrough, according to the latest reports.
Following the brutal sacking of Eddie Jones, the current Leicester Tigers chief was always the runaway favourite to be the Australian’s replacement.
According to The Telegraph, 'the RFU is closing in on a deal for Steve Borthwick to become the new England head coach despite Leicester Tigers demanding compensation of up to £1 million to release him.'
RUCK sources believe an agreement is close with 43-year-old to to sign an almost five-year deal through until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The RFU initially offered Tigers close to £300,000 but have reportedly been forced to almost double that initial offer.
Borthwick's replacement:
Sinfield had initially been linked with joining Borthwick alongside Tigers attack coach Richard Wigglesworth and head of physical performance Aled Walters.
However, reports now indicate that the Leeds Rhinos legend could stay at Welford Road.
“Sinfield, the rugby league legend, is a strong contender to succeed Borthwick as head coach at Leicester, with the club keen to enhance their connections with the 13-a-side code,” reports The Telegraph.
Kevin Sinfield facts:
- Sinfield played his entire professional career with Leeds and is one of the most successful players in Super League history, having captained the team to seven Super League championships and two Challenge Cup successes
- He won 26 caps for England, which he captained, and 14 caps for Great Britain
- Sinfield is a lifelong supporter of Oldham Athletic, and was a regular at games before his rugby career took off
- His son, Jack Sinfield is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Super League
- Sinfield was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league football and charitable fundraising
England fans joke that fifth choice XV could actually beat Wales
The Guardian delved into England's ridiculous strength in depth ahead of the fast approaching 2023 Six Nations.
With Eddie Jones no longer in charge, the national side could be set for a huge reshuffle with up to five separate XV's of players vying for a spot.
Reacting to the article, one fan even claimed the fifth choice line-up would be good enough to beat Wales.
He wrote: "Danny Care and Alfie Barbeary would walk into a Wales XV. I'd back that team to actually do better than Eddie Jones did in the last Six Nations."
Another added: "Just shows how much talented Eddie Jones was wasting.
A third commented: "Fifth XV easily beats Wales.
England's First Choice XV:
1. Ellis Genge
Ellis Genge of England is tackled by Damian de Allende of South Africa during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Jonny Hill
6. Courtney Lawes
7. Tom Curry
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Jack van Poortvliet
10. Marcus Smith
Marcus Smith of England warms up before the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)
11. Jonny May
12. Owen Farrell
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Jack Nowell
15. Freddie Steward
England's Second Choice XV:
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Will Stuart
4. Charlie Ewels
5. David Ribbans
6. Alex Coles
7. Sam Simmonds
8. Alex Dombrandt
9. Ben Youngs
10. George Ford
11. Elliot Daly
12. Henry Slade
Try Celebrations for Henry Slade of England as he goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
13. Guy Porter
14. Joe Cokanasiga
15. Tommy Freeman
England's Third Choice XV:
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. George McGuigan
3. Dan Cole
4. Ollie Chessum
5. Nick Isiekwe
6. Jack Willis
7. Ben Earl
Ben Earl of Saracens applauds supporters the Gallagher Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at The StoneX Stadium, Hendon, London on November 6 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
8. Zach Mercer
9. Raffi Quirke
10. Orlando Bailey
11. Henry Arundell
12. Dan Kelly
13. Ollie Lawrence
14. Max Malins
15. Anthony Watson
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 51 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
England's Fourth Choice XV:
1. Joe Marler
Joe Marler of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
2. Jack Singleton
3. Joe Heyes
4. Hugh Tizard
5. Joe Launchbury
6. Tom Pearson
7. Ted Hill
8. Lewis Ludlow
9. Alex Mitchell
10. Charlie Atkinson
11. Adam Radwan
12. Alex Lozowski
13. Joe Marchant
Joe Marchant of England on the break during the Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on 19 June 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
14. Ollie Hassell-Collins
15. George Furbank
England's Fifth Choice XV:
1. Alex Hepburn
2. Jamie Blamire
3. Nich Schonert
4. Dave Attwood
5. George Martin
6. Alfie Barbeary
7. Lewis Ludlam
8. Callum Chick
9. Danny Care
Danny Care of England arriving before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
10. Fin Smith
11. Cadan Marley
12. Luke Nortmore
13. Paolo Odogwu
14. Ollie Thorley
15. Alex Goode
