Leicester director of rugby Steve Borthwick has refused to comment on speculation linking him to becoming England's new head coach.
The current Tigers boss said: "I don’t think anyone can possibly doubt how committed I have been since the minute I walked through this door to give the best I can for this team, and that is my intention again this week to get the performance we want.
“I spoke to Eddie Jones this week and he is a phenomenal coach and I feel very fortunate and privileged top have worked with him in different places for so many years. I have learnt and continue to learn a huge amount from him. Even when not working in the same coaching team at Leicester Tigers he has been incredibly supportive of myself and my coaching journey.
“We would be here all day if we tried to talk about all the things; the work ethic, desire to learn and never cease to want to be better and improve; the desire to help the players achieve their dreams.
"What I will talk about, which I don’t hear talked about , is the generosity of the guy. I have seen him help people around the world. He loves the game and is an incredible coach.
“I speak to people at the RFU every week because we have a lot of England players here.
"Within this team there is no talk about anything but the Ospreys game. There are always things going around the team and your job is to be focussed on what you need to do.
“I have always been upfront with players about anything and everything and this team has all kind of challenges over the last two years and potential obstacles.
"Every time these players there is anything that could possibly distract from outside they concentrate on the next challenge.”
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 Sundaycolumn that he was “convinced” Robertson would be the “perfect successor” to Jones.
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.
