Bristol block Steve Borthwick's move to England coaching staff

Conflict of interests: Borthwick has not been given permission to join England's coaching staff
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Sam Long15 December 2015

Bristol have revealed that there is not yet an agreement in place to allow Steve Borthwick to join Eddie Jones' England coaching staff.

Jones was appointed as Stuart Lancaster's replacement in November after an impressive stint in charge of Japan and has set about building his own coaching set-up after Mike Catt, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree all left their roles.

Earlier today, the Rugby Football Union announced former England captain Borthwick, a line-out specialist who worked with Jones with Japan before joining Bristol, would take up a new role as forwards coach.

However, Bristol subsequently released their own statement stressing no permission had been given for the RFU to speak to Borthwick about the role.

The club's statement read: "Steve Borthwick has today indicated to the club that he wishes to join the RFU coaching team.

"Bristol Rugby want to make it clear that we have not agreed that Steve Borthwick can leave our employment.

"Steve Borthwick is subject to a recently signed long term employment contract. Bristol Rugby did not give the RFU permission to speak with Steve Borthwick.

"Bristol Rugby will take all reasonable actions as necessary to protect the club's position and, therefore, will not be making any further statement at this stage."

The rebuttal from Bristol came following confirmation by the RFU of Borthwick's new role earlier this afternoon.

A statement from the governing body read: "The RFU can announce Steve Borthwick has agreed to join Eddie Jones' coaching staff.

"The former England captain will join the national set-up as forwards coach. He will be reunited with Jones having worked together for three years on Japan's 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign as well as at Saracens, where the Australian signed him as a player from Bath.

"The 36-year-old former England international and captain had a brief coaching spell with Greene King IPA Championship side Bristol Rugby following the conclusion of the tournament this year."

Borthwick, who won 57 England caps during his career and played in the 2007 World Cup final, had described working with Jones and England as "a really exciting opportunity".

He said: "This is a huge honour to be asked as these chances don't come around often. We have an exciting group of players in England and I am really looking forward to the challenge and getting England beating the best teams in the world."

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