LEINSTER COACH Stuart Lancaster believes that England will be in good hands under new head coach Steve Borthwick after he was appointed.
Borthwick replaced Eddie Jones after a number of years in the role and will be looking to hit the ground running after a dismal year for English rugby
The Australian(Jones) had only five wins from 12 Tests in 2022. This and the one win in four Autumn Series matches meant his England future had come under intense speculation over the last few weeks.
England have ripped up the script seven weeks before the Six Nations campaign and nine months before the World Cup in France next year.
Borthwick, while at Leicester Tigers, won a Gallagher Premiership, but will have a totally different test on his hands when the Six Nations begins in the springtime.
𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊
We’re delighted our former captain and forwards coach Steve Borthwick has been appointed England men’s head coach from today.
Borthwick will be joined by Kevin Sinfield who has been appointed defence coach.
More 👇— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 19, 2022
Former England coach Lancaster held the role between 2011 and 2015 believes that his fellow countryman will be well able for the high pressure role come Six Nations time
“Steve will really benefit from his time with England."
"He knows the environment.
"He knows the players and knows English rugby, and has proven at Leicester Tigers that he can transform a team into one that can win the title.
“His coaching team is strong. I don’t think it’s as worrying as people make out that he's taking it on at this point. He’ll put his best foot forward.”
He'll make England hard to beat," Lancaster added.
"If you get all those bits and pieces right at international level with the players England have, that will make them competitive no matter what.
Ireland plays England on the 18th of March.
2023 Guinness Six Nations fixtures
February 4 – Wales v Ireland (2.15pm), England v Scotland (4.45pm)
February 5 – Italy v France (3pm)
February 11 – Ireland v France (2.15pm), Scotland v Wales (4.45pm)
February 12 – England v Italy (3pm)
February 25 – Italy v Ireland (2.15pm), Wales v England (4.45pm)
February 26 – France v Scotland (3pm)
March 11 – Italy v Wales (2.15pm), England v France (4.45pm)
March 12 – Scotland v Ireland (3pm)
March 18 – Scotland v Italy (12.30pm), France v Wales (2.45pm), Ireland v England (5pm).
