Bristol say they will “take all reasonable actions” after denying a deal had been done with the Rugby Football Union for Steve Borthwick to become England forwards coach.
The RFU released a statement saying former England captain Borthwick would join new head coach Eddie Jones’ team.
Borthwick signed a long-term deal with Bristol after the World Cup, having worked under Jones with Japan.
“We have not agreed Steve Borthwick can leave our employment,” Bristol said.
Borthwick is understood to have handed in his resignation on Tuesday, but the club said they had not given the RFU permission to speak to Borthwick and would “take all reasonable actions as necessary to protect the club’s position”.
Before Bristol intervened, Borthwick was quoted in an RFU statement saying it was a “huge honour to be asked as these chances don’t come around often”.
The former England captain was due to be Jones’ first appointment after previous forwards coach Graham Rowntree departed on Monday, along with Mike Catt and Andy Farrell.
In the same RFU statement, Jones described Borthwick as a “great addition” who would “get the best out of the players at the highest level”.
Jones also called Borthwick a “young coach with great potential” and praised his “analytical” approach as part of the RFU announcement.
Borthwick-Jones partnership:
Borthwick, 36, captained both Bath and Saracens during a 16-year playing career and won 57 England caps between 2001 and 2010.
The lock was part of the England side that reached the 2007 Rugby World Cup final in South Africa and was appointed captain by then coach Martin Johnson in 2008.
Jones worked part-time with Jones for two years as a spot coach with Japan, before retiring in 2014 – with a record 265 Premiership appearances – and becoming the country’s full-time forwards coach.
He helped Jones to mastermind Japan’s stunning victory over South Africa in this year’s Rugby World Cup before signing a contract with Bristol.
Jones, who also worked with Borthwick at Premiership side Saracens, was named as Stuart Lancaster’s successor in November, following England’s dismal World Cup campaign.
Jones, 55, will take charge of his first match on 9 February when England face Scotland in the Six Nations.
Others in contention:
Jones is also looking to name replacements for previous attack coach Catt and defence coach Farrell.
The former Australia head coach has asked another former colleague Paul Gustard to join his team, with the Saracens defence and forwards coach currently considering the offer.
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has said that backs coach Alex King will meet Jones this week to discuss a position with England.
Mallinder says there has been no official approach yet from the RFU, but that Saints will not prevent King from leaving if he was offered a role.
bbc
Club vs Country in English Rugby, seems crazy that a club who is not even in the top tier of domestic rugby, they play in the Championship one level below the Premiership, look to be trying to make it difficult for Borthwick to get elevated to national level. YET one wonders how the RFU went about this appointment, what sort of negotiations were there, what sort of compensation did they offer Bristol, was there even negotiation or did they ride roughshot over Bristol?
Welcome to English Rugby Mr Jones đŸ˜ˆ
Good day with the bat for England on day 1 of their first warm up match in SA, ended the day 470/5 against SA Invitation XI, centuries for Taylor and Stokes. Mnyaka the pick of SA bowlers with 3 wickets.
@Bullscot
Seems that the RFU are as inept as SARU.
Like primary school kids boasting to their friends in the playground what they are going to get for Xmas – before writing the letter to Santa.
2 @ Bullscot:
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut from time to time.
No sympathy for Eddie. Let him struggle.
5 @ robzim:
only kidding fully understand. Odd (if you excuse the pun) was that just this past weekend I was wondering if I would find a bookie who would take a few quid on Eddie Jones not seeing out his England contract if the odds were good enough, didn’t actually go out and look for it but after this I think even if there was any bet available on it that the odds would have been lowered.
Hi robzim wonder why you would say that, you are normally such an affable chap
3 @ Scrumdown:
Hi Scrumdown am not privy to what has or hasn’t happened with this one but that could just be a very apt analogy you made there
4 @ Scrumdown:
Had a look at the teams and even though have not been following domestic cricket in SA too much still thought I would know some of the players but don’t think I know any in SA Invitation team. Taylor and Stokes are good players so them getting their confidence up even against a potentially weak side could be good for England who have also not been batting well at times in recent series.
Today, Ladies and Gentlemen,
is Puma’s birthday.
And I think the Old Dogfish is 60.
Congratulations Puma.
All the best for today and everyday.
May 60 be a good year,
to you,
and to all you hold dear.
cane. (on behalf of all true Rugby Fans right around the Pacific Rim).
Just saw elsewhere that former Transvaal and Northern Transvaal lock Andre Skinner has passed away.
Condolences.
Another of the “tall trees” has fallen.
If Cane has his dates right.
All the best to Puma. Sincerely hope it is a great day and year to follow.
Cane you are probably right ref Puma. Many Happy returns to him and his dodgy knees.
I wonder if he still has a pug
9 @ cane:
Thanks Cane. Had a great birthday. Yip 60 today the years are flying by so fast boet. And my kiwi brother as normal I wont forget your biirthday either on the 26th you are turning the big 60. Will log on to wish you as I normally do each year as we born just 10 days apart so never forget yours either. Thanks again for the birthday message. Hope you kepping well.
11 @ Scrumdown:
Thanks boet. Had a great birthday. How you doing? Hope well.
13 @ Blue Bird:
Hello Carol. How you doing? Hope well. Thanks for the birthday message.
Yes still have one pug left. Then thats our last.
You still running? If so take care of the knees but enjoy it. Good to catch up again.
Puma wrote:
Doing well thanks.
Had a deep vein thrombosis that moved into the lung a few weeks ago but well now.
Down in your neck of the woods at Palm Beach for a couple of weeks r & r then back to the salt mine.
Have a wonderful festive season.
Belated happy birthday, Puma.
You’re a senior citizen now. Better take it slow now, hey.
All the best for the next year and the years to come.
17 @ Scrumdown:
Sorry to hear that boet thats hectic. How did you pick up dvt? Have they git you on warfarin? Helks bells thats a terrible drug but think you have no choice but to take it to clear the clot. Same happened to me in 2004 got it. Flying long haul also a piece went into my lung from the leg.mwas on wafarin for 6 months then they tested me and I was not a natural clotter so took me off it.
Did they first put you in hospital for a week on heparin (sp) plus warfarin? Anyhow pleased you okay as its serious to get it. Keep walking now and drink plenty water to keep hydrated at all times.
Keep well boet the one in the lung goes quick its the leg one that takes 6 months to go on that blood thinner. Juast keep moving like I said and keep hydrated.
All the best and keep us up to date how you are.
19 @ Puma:
Sorry for typos.
18 @ Nama:
Thnaks boet. But you know I am always 30 in my mind….
How you doing Nama? Hope well. You still live in that beautiful place up the west coast? Awesome place that with great people.
I’m great Puma.
Jip, still in Namaqualand. Once a Namaqualander, always a Namaqualander.
They say that when you come here as a stranger, you only cry twice in your lifetime. The first time is when you arrive here and see the “nothingness”. The second time is when you have to leave the place.
@ Puma:
Hi Puma, belated birthday wishes for you, bud!
@ Puma:
Hey Puma how lovely to hear from you. I’m 100% and getting in a Christmas mood. Had a nice run in the mud before breakfast. So trying to stay fit and lean ready for anything.
I thought of you when the Lambie announcement came out and hoped you were pleased.
My sister has a pug pup and he is a great character.
all the best to you and your family. C x
Happy Birthday Puma I’m sending you a pair of virtual flight socks!
@ Puma:
Had a very tight calf that moved up into the groin.
Suspected what it might be but flew to George for our annual gf tour anyway. Stupid I know but what the hell.
Got back and could barely stand so went for a scan then into hospital for 3 days.
Was on Claxane (sp?) injections in the stomach for 10 days and Warferin for the next 6 months with blood test every few days initially.
Will see what happens in the new year.
As you say, it’s a terribly dangerous drug but from what I gather there are not many other options.
Keep well and “pop in” from time to time.
G’day folks
. @ Puma:
Happy belated birthday pooms. Trust you celebrated in style. With a glass of red.
@ Scrumdown:
Look after yourself mate. Sounded a bit like Grey’s Anatomy the way you and Puma were talking
@ IAAS:
My k@k started the morning of the Currie Cup final so I am sure you can understand my reluctance to consult a member of the medical fraternity.
L4L.
Golf at Southbroom early tomorrow so time to rest.
G’night all.
@ Puma: happy happy Pumes old mate. Many more. Apologies for belated wishes. Some of us have year end work to complete and min tyd to catch up on these chatshows with mates. Lousy excuse of course but one nevertheless. Its been one mutha of a year as I’m sure many here have experienced.
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