Former Saracens star Steve Borthwick has been appointed as head coach of the England Rugby Men’s squad, with Kevin Sinfield OBE made a defence coach.

The RFU confirmed former England captain and forwards coach Borthwick will take on the role of England men’s head coach from today, while Sinfield taking on his new role this week.

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

He played lock in 57 Tests for England from 2001-2010 and captained the side 21 times, while also playing Premiership rugby for 10 years at Bath and six years at Saracens.

He captained both teams and became a Premiership winner in 2011 making 265 Premiership appearances, a record at the time. 

His coaching career has included positions with Saracens and Leicester Tigers, where he led the team to winning the 2021-22 Premiership title. He was also recognised as the season’s Director of Rugby, having spearheaded the club’s best winning run for 25 years.  

In his international coaching career, Borthwick worked as forwards coach in two Rugby World Cup cycles alongside Eddie Jones for Japan from 2012-15 and England between 2015-20, with England reaching the final at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

He also coached on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017 which saw the side draw the Test series against the All Blacks. 

"I'm deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach, and I am very excited by the challenge," said Borthwick. 

"The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team which makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did. I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play. 

"The hard work starts now and planning for the Guinness Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything.” 

Borthwick has signed a five-year contract reporting into RFU CEO, Bill Sweeney, who said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Steve back to the RFU. He has been part of the England team for over 15 years and he is our first-choice successor to Eddie.

"Steve and Kevin’s insight and first-hand knowledge of the players will be a great asset and everyone at the RFU is right behind them with our full support.” 

Sinfield started playing Rugby League at Waterhead ARLFC. He was a player, captain and director of rugby for Leeds Rhinos where he led the team to seven Super League championships and two Challenge Cup successes. He was a loose forward as well as a stand-off.

He played 26 rugby league tests for England which he captained and 14 tests for Great Britain. He holds the record for the highest points-scorer in Super League history and earned many individual accolades including the Lance Todd Trophy (2005), Harry Sunderland Trophy (2009, 2012) and the  Golden Boot (2012).

Sinfield has been defence coach alongside Borthwick in their record-breaking run at Leicester Tigers and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league football and charitable fundraising.

He has raised over £7m for charity and championed research in support of ex-Leeds teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), his fundraising also honours former rugby union player Doddie Weir and former footballer Stephen Darby, both of whom were diagnosed with MND. 

Sinfield said: “It is a special moment to join England as a coach. I know what representing your country means and to get the chance to do it as a coach is a real honour. 

“There is so much player talent in England and I am really looking forward to working with the wider squad of players to see what we can achieve together, especially with such a massive year ahead of us. 

“I’d like to thank everyone at Leicester Tigers, the players, staff and supporters, for welcoming me to the club.  I’ve loved my time there and wish them all the best for the rest of the season. 

“I’m looking forward to getting started and there’s no better opening campaign than the Guinness Six Nations.” 

The wider coaching team to support Borthwick will be announced in the coming weeks.