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LONDON, Dec 15 Reuters - Former captain Steve Borthwick has become new England coach Eddie Jones's first appointment after agreeing to join the national team as forwards coach. \"I have known Steve for a long time and he has done fantastic work as a coach,\" Jones said in a statement on Tuesday. Lancaster was fired following England's dismal performance as hosts of this year's World Cup, in which they failed to reach the knockout stages.

\"Bristol Rugby want to make it clear that we have not agreed that [Steve Borthwick] can leave our employment,\" the club said. \"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.\" \"I have known Steve for a long time and he has done fantastic work as a coach,\" [Eddie Jones] said in a statement announcing the appointment.

\"If you've seen him tackle you'll know he's a pretty physical animal,\" said Simon Easterby, the Ireland forwards coach. \"He hits rucks, he scrummages well, he's very powerful in the gym. He's the sort of player who'll have a bright future if we can hone his skills and game awareness.\" \"When you're up against players of Toner's height,\" he said of the 6ft 10in forward from County Meath, \"it's definitely a factor. It's where the analysis and the detail comes in - you need to come up with a plan and execute it. But at the same time, you don't want to concentrate on the opposition to the extent that you detract from what you're trying to bring to the game yourselves. \"In Italy, we played against a pack who posed us some problems at the line-out - problems that we didn't answer particularly well. We didn't execute to the standard I want to see and the players realised that and were disappointed. In one sense it was a good learning experience, but it's also clear that we have a big contest ahead of us and need to improve.\"

It is the RFU chief executive, Ian Ritchie, whose previous job was at Wimbledon, who has the next serve. If [Eddie Jones] is to have [Steve Borthwick] by his side this month, Ritchie needs to reach agreement with Bristol who have already started searching for Borthwick's successor as forwards' coach. Graham Rowntree, released by England this week, and the former Australia hooker Michael Foley, now in charge of Western Force but once of Bath, are potential candidates. Should Bristol take out an injunction preventing him from working for the RFU while his contractual position is sorted out, Borthwick would be able to do no more than watch matches on his television and laptop, paid by Bristol but wanting to be working for England. While a compromise is normally found in disputes like this, Bristol are angry at the way the union has acted this week and at what they see as a dismissive attitude towards the importance of promotion to the club seven years after being relegated from the Premiership.

Forwards coach [STEVE BORTHWICK] is now targeting a repeat against the Scots on Wednesday. \"Physically it's going to be a huge challenge,\" said the former England captain.

\"Teams have their own dynamic within them. A coach works out the way he wants his side to play, brings in the people he thinks can deliver it and, if it goes to plan, sees them grow into their roles,\" he said. \"There's a role at Northampton for someone like me. I suppose I'm the organiser, the steadying influence, the provider of direction. I can't do the things Samu does, for instance, but that cuts both ways. So no, it doesn't frustrate me. I'm very proud of the part I've played at a fantastic club in a true rugby town.\" \"Test rugby is not really in my thoughts,\" he confessed. \"That doesn't mean I'm not ambitious, and I'm not an old player in second-row terms, but England have someone who does what I do in Geoff Parling [the Lions lock, who plays just up the road at Leicester]. If I get a little down about things, it's when Geoff picks up an injury and the selectors don't pick a like-for-like replacement. But there's no point in whingeing about it. Whingeing is always counter-productive.\" \"My involvement grew out of a feeling that as players we weren't quite valuing ourselves in the right way,\" he said. \"I've been one of the lucky ones: I was able to study at Manchester University [he has a degree in engineering and material science] while playing professional club rugby. Those opportunities don't often arise now, and as there aren't many players who will earn enough from a 10-year career to see them through life, I'm keen to ensure people get themselves properly skilled.

The respect of his peers is universal. \"[Steve Borthwick] manages people well, he understand different personality types and he'll be a successful coach because of that,\" predicted Mark McCall, Sarries' head coach. \"He's got a superb rugby brain and a way of getting the best out of people.\" It was a similar story during his days at Bath. Michael Foley, the former Wallabies hooker, once described him as \"the most professional athlete I've ever come across\" and spoke in awestruck tones about his commitment. \"I don't know exactly what other people are up to, but he couldn't do any more. He is a special sort of guy. We even reckon he counts the Rice Krispies into his plate to make sure he gets the right number of calories.\" \"Playing this sport is a privilege. I feel content . . . I've been a professional for 16 years, I've played for two great clubs and I think I've earned the respect of my team-mates and made great friends along the way. It's a tough sport, these are tough men and those bonds are very, very strong. It would be absolutely special to win this weekend but to be part of this group is a privilege.\"

[Steve Borthwick] has been cited for alleged foul play during Bath's Zurich Premiership defeat against leaders Wasps last Saturday.

  \"In terms of how they defend and what we want to do, they are very physical. At times we'd like to drive, but we've got to get that right when we look to play. We have to win some good ball for our backs to do what they want to do.\" EXPLOSIVE \"[Mick Kearney]'s a good, tough player. He does his core role really well and he has got a bit of something else about him. He's got good footwork, he can carry and when he gets a bit of space he is quite explosive. I like how he goes about his work,\" said [Clarke], who recently became a father for the first time. A neck injury ruled the big lock out of last weekend's win over Zebre, but with so much experience to call on from playing at the top level - he won a Super 15 title with the Chiefs last year - Clarke's return to full fitness will be crucial for Connacht's chances this weekend.

In the meantime he is determined to finish on a high with Saracens. \"Very few players have the chance to retire on their own terms,\" he said. \"Saracens did ask me if I'd like to carry on but I feel the time is right for me to finish playing at the end of the season. That's still a few months away and I am 100% focused on improving as a player and leading this team to the best of my ability.\" The Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall, paid the warmest of tributes. \"[Steve Borthwick] has become a Saracens legend, as a leader, as a player and as a man who sets the highest standards in everything he does. He will be sorely missed.\"