Steve Borthwick named England head coach after Eddie Jones sacked

Steve Borthwick was confirmed as England men's head coach on 12 December 2022. He replaced Eddie Jones, who had been dismissed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the sport's governing body in England, a week earlier after a disappointing run of results.

Borthwick, a former England captain, had been head coach of Premiership club Leicester Tigers, whom he helped revive after taking over in 2020. He also knew the national set-up well, having served as an assistant coach under Jones, working mainly with the forwards, before moving to Leicester.

The appointment came with limited time to prepare. He took charge ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, with the World Cup in France due later that year. England had endured a difficult 2022, and the RFU wanted a coach who could restore stability and organisation quickly.

Borthwick's early tenure was therefore judged on how fast he could rebuild confidence and results, a theme that has recurred whenever England's form has dipped, including in later autumn Test series.