England head coach Steve Borthwick has turned down the opportunity to join Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions management team for the 2025 tour of Australia.
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Borthwick, who aims to focus on revamping England’s performance, will not participate in the series against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.
Having toured with the Lions in 2017 to New Zealand as the forwards coach, Borthwick’s expertise in lineout tactics remains highly sought after. His decision leaves an opening for Farrell to potentially appoint an Irish assistant, such as former Lions captain Paul O’Connell, to develop a formidable pack for the tour.
Meanwhile, former Wales prop Adam Jones has expressed interest in becoming the Lions’ scrum coach. Jones, who has played a crucial role in guiding Harlequins to the Champions Cup semifinals, shared his eagerness on the Times’ Ruck Podcast.
“If Faz wanted to take me, I’d bite his hand off. 100 percent, I think I could do a job as a scrum coach for the Lions,” Jones said. “It’s a funny one with the Lions; as a scrum coach, you’re not going to change a lot of technique as these are the best props from the home unions. But if that job ever came up, I’d bite their hand off. I’ve been twice as a player.”
Farrell will continue as head coach of Ireland until after the autumn Test window, at which point he will switch to his Lions duties. Other potential coaching candidates include Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend, who is also in contention for a role during the Australian tour.
Joining Jones and O’Connell in potential roles is former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who might take on the position of specialist kicking coach.
Stuart Hogg included on list of worst divers in rugby, Nigel Owens embarrassed him
The issue of diving in rugby union has long sparked intense debate and controversy.
As per Scrum Recap, these are the games slyest of hounds.
#5. Stuart Hogg
What they said: “He often overdoes the theatricality to the extent that not even the officials will give him a second look.
“Look back to the South Africa vs Scotland game a couple years back when he flung himself into the ‘Beast’ just to be laughed off by players and fans around him.”
Our verdict: Nobody will forget that infamous telling off he got from Nigel Owens against South Africa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup. As the old saying goes, mud sticks., but it’s not a reputation he deserves.
Fan comments: “Tom Daley’s spot in the British Diving team is under threat by Hogg. Excellent call from Owens,”