England stalwart insists Steve Borthwick’s ‘sustainable environment’ better long-term than Eddie Jones’ anxiety-inducing regime
Steve Borthwick and Eddie Jones chatting ahead of an England clash, alongside ex-Red Rose wing Jonny May.
Former England wing Jonny May has revealed that the current side under Steve Borthwick is set up for more long-term success in comparison to the “bloody full on” Eddie Jones regime.
Jones, who is now in charge of Japan after an ill-fated second stint with the Wallabies, has become renowned for his brutal approach to training.
The speedster acknowledged that the Australian’s methods initially had a positive effect on England, but that it was not going to last.
They enjoyed tremendous success in the first four years of his tenure, claiming consecutive Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam, winning 18 matches in a row and reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
Struggles
It went down hill from that point, however, and in December 2022 Jones was sacked, with Borthwick taking charge of the Red Rose.
May experienced life under both head coaches before retiring from Test rugby following the 2023 World Cup, where they finished third.
“It’s definitely more of a sustainable environment under Steve than it was Eddie,” the 34-year-old said on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
“It was bloody full on with Eddie. The schedule was loaded, there were surprises, there was this, there was that. It was a lot and a lot of anxious energy as well.
“There is an opportunity within a programme to sink or swim people and thrive or die. We had a period where he did get us going, but that way is not sustainable.”
That is in stark contrast to Borthwick, according to May, with the ex-Leicester Tigers boss opting to relieve that burden on the players.
“Under Steve, the main things now are the main things. We meet up, we lift our weights, we do our rugby and then you are left alone,” he said.
“Whereas (under Eddie), you were in the pool first thing in the morning and then you were on the computers, and then you had to go to the gym.
“When you were in the gym, you’ve got skills, contact skills, god knows what else.”
Staff turnover
There is, of course, a balance to be had between training and having downtime, but May believes that Borthwick strikes it much better than Jones.
“It had a real influence on us for a period of time but it was very, very intense and that’s probably why there’s a big turnover of staff under Eddie,” he added.
“But with Steve, you’re left alone, I couldn’t believe how much free time you had.”
