October 2, 2024| SPORTSCARDBLOGS| 0 Comment

Steve Borthwick: The Leicester Tigers star his son wants him to select for England

New England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed the conversation he had with his kids after telling them that he will be leaving Leicester Tigers.

Borthwick signed a five-year deal with the RFU to take over from Eddie Jones, leaving Leicester immediately as he turns his focus to next year’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.

Selection tips

Speaking to BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast shortly after being unveiled as the England head coach, Borthwick talked about the conversation he had with his kids on changing jobs.

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His are Tigers supporters, obviously, and while they were fine with his dad taking on a new role, his eldest, Hunter, did have a few tips for selection.

“They certainly have their favourite players,” Borthwick said with a smile.

“I spoke to them and sat them down and said, ‘boys, I might be making a change. I might be moving from coaching Leicester Tigers to coaching England. I said how would you feel about that?’

“I sat with them, and they looked at me, and Hunter said to me: ‘Daddy, that’s ok. But you have to pick a lot of Leicester Tiger players.’

Borthwick responded by asking, who would be the first one?

‘Can you get Tommy Reffell from Wales?’ Hunter asked.

Borthwick chuckled before adding: “I told Tommy that as well. But it’s a reminder… I’m privileged to be England’s head coach.”

“Privilege to coach the team as an assistant coach, a privilege to captain the team, play for the team. You have conversations like that, and it reminds you just how much people in this country love this team.”

Wigglesworth grateful to Borthwick and Sinfield

Back at Leicester, interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth has sung the praises of his former coaches.

The former England scrum-half ended his playing career this week to take over as the Tigers’ interim head coach after a career that saw him clock up a record 322 Premiership games and win 33 England caps.

Speaking on the decision to retire and the impact Borthwick and Sinfield had on him, Wigglesworth said: “My family have given everything too, and I, quite literally, could not have achieved what I have without them.

“I would not have taken on the head coach role of Leicester Tigers if I did not believe there was a group of players and coaches who are committed to being successful and, with those at this club, that cannot be questioned.

“I am grateful to Steve and Kev for what they have taught me, how they have challenged me and the friendship I have with both. Myself and Leicester Tigers are better for having worked with them.”