STEVE BORTHWICK is the current head coach of the England men’s national rugby union team.
He will lead England out against South Africa in this weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-final, but who is he and who is his wife?
The new England Rugby Union coach Steve Borthwick poses for the photographers during a photocall at Twickenham Stadium in London, Monday, December 19, 2022.AP
Who is Steve Borthwick?
In December 2022, Borthwick replaced Eddie Jones as head coach of the England Rugby Team, following Eddie Jones’s departure.
The pair had previously combined their talents to lead England to back-to-back Six Nations titles as Steve joined Jones’ team as part of the forwards coaching team in 2015.
Borthwick began his professional career at Bath in 1998 and made his debut for Bath against Saracens at the age of 19.
He announced he was moving to north London-based team Saracens at the end of the 2007-08 season, where he made 144 appearances for the club in six years, retiring at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Borthwick boasted an impressive international career as well, making his England debut in 2001 against France.
His career spanned nine years and 57 caps – 21 of them as captain for the Red Roses.
Who is Steve Borthwick’s wife Beth?
Steve is married to Australian physiotherapist Beth Borthwick.
Beth has worked as a physiotherapist and clinic director for the London-based company Six Physio.
Despite the newlywed couple being on their honeymoon Borthwick recalled the moment he learnt he was no longer England captain and no longer part of the England Squad.
“You’re talking to the man who got dropped from the England captaincy when he was on honeymoon,
“I’m walking down the beach in Bali with my wife and I get a phone call from [team manager] Martin Johnson saying, ‘Hey Steve, you’re no longer England captain. Actually, you’re no longer in the England squad’.
How many children do Steve and Beth Borthwick have together?
The couple have two boys named Hunter and Chase.
Speaking to the Guardian, Borthwick shared a funny memory about his son Hunter, who was nine then, in December 2022: “Hunter came running towards me carrying a ball in his hand. I thought: ‘He’s going to give me this great big hug, it’s going to be a heartwarming moment.’
“Instead he ran straight past me, dived on the floor on the far side of the living room and said: ‘I just scored the winning try, Daddy.’
“Brilliant. One problem was I missed out on my hug. The other was he was wearing a Wallabies shirt. His mother’s to blame for that.”
In Paris, England will face South Africa in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup on October 21, 2023.