Mark Bakewell leaves Tigers, opens door for Steve Borthwick

Leicester Tigers have confirmed that forwards coach Mark Bakewell has left the club, opening the door for England’s Steve Borthwick to join the Midlanders.

Borthwick, who played for Bath and Saracens in the Premiership, has been linked with a move to the strugglers.

The 40-year-old is currently with the Red Rose and played a big part in the national team’s run to the final of the Rugby World Cup.

He has reportedly been courted by the Tigers and is allegedly set to depart as England’s forwards coach soon, but the former second-row has committed for the upcoming Six Nations.

Meanwhile, following Bakewell’s departure, coaching of the Tigers’ forwards will be led by Boris Stankovich and Brett Deacon, working alongside Geordan Murphy, Mike Ford and Phil Blake in the backroom staff.

Leicester head coach Murphy said: “We’d like to thank Mark for his hard work at the club over the last couple of seasons and we wish him well for the future.”