England appoint Steve Borthwick as Eddie Jones' replacement

Steve Borthwick has been appointed as the new head coach of the England men's rugby team on a five-year contract, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Monday.

Former England captain Borthwick, previously in charge of Premiership champions Leicester, has replaced Eddie Jones just over nine months out from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Veteran coach Jones was sacked nearly a fortnight ago after the Australian presided over England's worst year of results since 2008, managing only five wins from 12 games.

That included an Autumn Nations campaign where England won just one of four games in November and suffered a defeat by Argentina - their opening pool opponents at next year's World Cup.

The RFU also announced Leicester assistant coach and former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield will join Borthwick as England's new defence coach.

England's new coaching duo have just seven weeks until their first Test in charge - a Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham on 4 February.

'Give it everything'

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

"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 43-year-old, who spent five years as an England assistant coach under Jones, added: "The hard work starts now and planning for the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything."

Leicester, meanwhile, announced Richard Wigglesworth would take over as interim head coach following Borthwick and Sinfield's early