Steve Borthwick has responded to reports that he could tour South Africa with the British and Irish Lions next summer.
The 40-year-old had been tipped to reprise his role in 2021 as an assistant coach to Warren Gatland after playing a key role in the Lions’ drawn series with New Zealand in 2017.
The new head coach said: “It’s never been mentioned; never been mentioned and it’s never crossed my mind, to be honest.
“I’m not one to give statements without having put any thought behind them. So I’ve not thought about that, I’ve not put any thought to that at all.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
Sir Ian McGeechan picks seven Englishmen in his Lions 2021 XV
15: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
14: Anthony Watson (England)
"I'd definitely have Watson. He's great under the high ball, has unbelievable feet and would be outstanding on hard South African grounds."
13: Jonathan Davies (Wales)
12: Manu Tuilagi (England)
"At 12, I have to go with Manu. There's such power there. And you'll need that."
11: Liam Williams (Wales)
10: Owen Farrell (England)
9: Gareth Davies (Wales)
1: Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
"On form, I have to go with Sutherland. He's been absolutely brilliant. He's not just a good technical rugby player, he can play, he can run, he makes an impact. His story is an incredible one. I'd love to see him kick on."
2: Jamie George (England)
" Fantastic consistency, tough, good set-piece performer, just a very solid character. He will take some shifting."
3: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
"He's not had a brilliant season but he's such a good player and in these circumstances you would get the best out of him. He'd rise to the challenge. He's done it before."
4: Maro Itoje (England)
""Itoje is definitely one of them and I'd bracket him as a possible captain. He's a hell of a competitor. When you watch him, he's into everything. He reads things so well, he's niggling, he leads by example. He's a really intelligent lad and a really intelligent rugby player."
5: James Ryan (Ireland)
6: Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
" He's tough, mobile, into everything. He's a carrier, a leader, he's improving game on game and I think he could be outstanding in a Lions jersey."
7: Tom Curry (England)
"A very clever player, a relentless guy with a huge engine. He'd come into his own in a Lions environment," he says.
