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England Men

21 Dec 2022 | 2 min |

Steve Borthwick Profile

Steve Borthwick started his playing career at Preston Grasshoppers, he represented England Schools, Colts U21 and Saxons.

Borthwick’s professional career began in 1998, when at the age of 19, he made his debut for Bath against Saracens.

He went on to earn 246 caps for the West Country club, captaining them to the 2007/08 European Challenge Cup title, and announcing his move to Saracens at the end of that season. 

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He notched up 144 appearances in his six years with the north London club before retiring at the end of the 2013/14 season. Borthwick also boasted an impressive international career. Making his England debut in the 2001 Six Nations against France, his career spanned nine years and 57 caps - 21 of them as captain.

Eddie Jones was quick to appoint Borthwick as Japan’s forwards coach in 2012 immediately after ending his playing career, and later recruited him for the same role with England in December 2015, where he played a key role in developing England's pack.

In his time with the national team Borthwick oversaw two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016, a 3-0 Test series win in Australia the same year, an unbeaten run of 18 matches, and a Rugby World Cup in Japan. He was also part of the British & Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017 which saw the side draw a Test series against the All Blacks.

Borthwick was appointed head coach of Leicester Tigers in the middle of 2020, where he led them to the 2021/22 Premiership title - their first since 2013.