Steve Borthwick rules out of key Lions role following blow to Andy Farrell – as England head coach prioritizes development of his promising young Red Rose side
- The England head coach will tour the Americas while the Lions play.
- Steve Borthwick previously worked as an assistant on the 2017 Lions tour
- He had been tipped to join Andy Farrell as forwards coach next year.
Steve Borthwick will be in charge of England’s potential tour of the Americas next summer, after declaring himself out of competition for a role in the Lions management team.
The 44-year-old is widely regarded as one of the leading forward coaches in world rugby and was acclaimed for his impact during the 2017 tour of New Zealand, when the Lions fought back to win a respectable Draw 1 -1 against the Lions. All black people.
Andy Farrell worked with him on that crusade and is now leading the next – to Australia in 2025 – but he will not have the opportunity to call on the expertise of his former Saracens and Red Rose teammate.
It is understood Borthwick has indicated he will not accept an invitation to join the British and Irish firm Down Under as he is determined to prioritize the development of his young and promising England team.
With several key players on Lions duty, the Cumbrian will look to bring in a new contingent during a tour which could include a Test in the United States and two in Argentina – as first revealed by Mail Sport .
Steve Borthwick to be in charge of England’s prospective tour of the Americas next summer
The England head coach has ruled himself out of joining the Lions tour.
Borthwick wants to focus on developing his promising young England team
However, England could still have some representation among the Lions coaching group. Borthwick and the RFU would welcome any approach to have one of the assistants travel to Australia.
This leaves the door open for Richard Wigglesworth, Felix Jones and Kevin Sinfield to fill attack, defense or skills and mentorship positions respectively.
Farrell will continue in his day job as Ireland head coach until after the autumn Test window, when he will then switch to Lions mode.
Recent tradition has it that he seeks to appoint his assistants in late 2024 or early in the new year, to allow ample time for tour preparations.
In 12 months’ time, on June 28, the four-nation team will play their first match in Australia, against Western Force in Perth, at the start of a nine-match itinerary in Australia culminating with three Tests against the Wallabies. They will warm up before departure with a clash against Argentina in Dublin on June 20.
A number of high-profile candidates have already been selected as candidates for integration into the management team. Farrell could turn to his Irish assistant, Paul O’Connell, to oversee the attackers, while another Irish icon, Ronan O’Gara – head coach of La Rochelle – could be considered as a wild-card option, under reserve to accept a release from his club.
The 44-year-old (right) was praised for his impact during the Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will lead the Lions on next year’s tour of Australia.
Adam Jones has expressed an interest in becoming a scrum coach and Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will once again be one of the favorites to coordinate the attack. His defense coach, Welshman Steve Tandy, is another who could be asked to fill the same role he fulfilled in 2021, when the Lions lost the hollow Covid-era series against South Africa 2-1.
However, Shaun Edwards could link up with his long-time Wigan teammate and serve as a defensive guru, should France allow him.
