I was England manager when Steve Borthwick played his first international match aged 22, in the 48-17 victory over France in 2001. He also came off the bench in a famous victory against Australia in Melbourne in 2002. Years later, I remember how happy I was to see him at the heart of Japan's success at the 2015 World Cup, starting his coaching career with such a unique experience.
I am not the first to describe Borthwick as a man of great humility and, as a coach, much has been written about his meticulous attention to detail. These are wonderful traits, but in 2025 I would urge Borthwick to add another feature to his repertoire. Bold.
We are two years away from the World Cup and it is time to make a statement. Selection is the most important skill as a coach. It's your best weapon, especially when you need to inspire a reaction and get out of a bad moment. It's good to have consistency in selection, but there are some players who are being selected based on what they have done in the past.
People make a big deal about eliminating players, but it can often be the best thing for them.
I look at guys like Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Henry Slade and Jamie George and I can't help but think England would be a faster, more unpredictable attacking team without them.
You should never choose young players just because that can end in disaster, but if they are as good as the older player then make the switch and give it a try. It's amazing how well the youngster will play when he knows he's been given his chance, the influence he has on the entire group and how well the fallen player responds too.
Steve Borthwick needs to start making bold decisions if he wants to help England progress
With two years to go until the World Cup, now is the time to start experimenting and letting stars fall.
England would be quicker and more unpredictable if Borthwick had the courage to remove captain Jamie George, among others.
As a coach he is actually very funny, although sometimes a little mischievous. Lawrence Dallaglio was fantastic against Australia one week, but I left him for the next game against New Zealand. It was only after I told him in the scariest meeting of my life that I realized it was supposed to be his 50th game. Oops.
But Lewis Moody came on and played out of his skin, scoring a great try in the corner, and Lawrence couldn't come off the bench quick enough. When the opportunity presented itself, he rose to an even higher level.
Following the introduction of enhanced contracts for elite teams, it is vital to take a bold approach to selection. It would send a message that with EPS contract or without EPS contract, no one's selection is assured.
The man at the top of my list who needs to start is Henry Pollock. He is about to turn 20 and is an incredible talent. He's not the biggest guy, but what does he have that Curry doesn't? Passed. It's very fast. He is playing in Northampton's first European rugby team and coming out of it very well.
Imagine an England back row with Pollock, Tom Willis and Ben Earl. If you were a rival coach you'd think, 'Wow, these guys are really going to test us.'
There is a lot of talk about changing the defense but why isn't there talk about the attack? England have the speed to make Ireland lose their minds. I used to say it's easy to be critical from the green seats (yeah, I'm not in the coaches' box), but I think these guys are ready now.
I would ask Borthwick to start being a little more creative. Alfie Barbeary, bathroom number 8, is someone you should look at. Everyone knew he was a special talent when Barbeary broke through at Wasps a few years ago, but he hasn't fulfilled his potential. He is a unit, a fantastic player, but I don't think he will play for England in the back row.
Why can't Borthwick do with Barbeary what we did with Steve Thompson? When I first met Thompson, it was on England's tour of the United States. Phil Keith-Roach told me: “This guy knows he's not quick enough to play full-back for England, but he's ready to play hooker.”
I would name Maro Itoje captain because he is the only one who never leaves the club or the national team.
It's time to give prodigy Henry Pollock a chance in the back row; that would be a test for rival coaches (England A pictured)
Bath's Alfie Barbeary deserves a chance as a hooker and would set himself up well in the long term
We worked a lot with him and he ended up being our only irreplaceable player in 2003. We didn't have a hooker who was as capable as him. Imagine what a great story it would be if Borthwick managed to do the same with Barbeary.
A combination of Barbeary and Theo Dan would put England in a really strong long-term position with their hookers. George can still play an important role in this England team and is highly respected within the England team, but he is not at the top of his game. I don't think I should be captain. Because? Because he never plays 80 minutes.
Sir Clive Woodward says Borthwick must try new things and risk upsetting the big names
I had a similar problem with Dylan Hartley. He came up to me once and said, 'You keep saying I shouldn't be captain.' I told him it's because he keeps coming out. I told him: 'If I were you, I would be very angry with the coach for taking you out, if you are capable of playing 80 minutes.' If you're not fit to play 80 minutes, you shouldn't be in the team.
I don't like seeing George go off with 20 minutes or more left and then England lose at the bell. It doesn't look good. I'm sorry to say that it has become a trend. A captain must start and finish. It's a simple equation.
I was lucky because I had Dallaglio and Martin Johnson, who I would never dream of taking off with. The only one who never turns out well, neither in his club nor in his country, is Maro Itoje.
He is the captain of Saracens and, for me, he should be the captain of England. For George, the move could inspire a change similar to that discovered by Joe Root when he was relieved of the England cricket captaincy in favor of Ben Stokes.
In my column last week I argued for Fin Smith to play at age 12, alongside Tommy Freeman. I stand by it, but there are also reasons to think outside the box. Inside center is a problematic position for England; I'm not convinced by Slade or Ollie Lawrence.
There are plenty of lads Borthwick could try there, but how about we look at rugby league? The guys around the league have said that Herbie Farnworth would get into a XV team, so let's have a chat with him.
Why not bring in Herbie Farnworth from rugby league? Could be a solution in number 12
I'm not sold on Henry Slade or Ollie Lawrence at inside center, so let's get creative.
There are a lot of negative headlines about rugby, but there are a few plays Borthwick could make to get the crowd really excited. George Hendy could get the crowd on their feet as a full-back. I feel sorry for Borthwick because he's going to be asked a lot of questions about politics and it could be an awkward press conference.
There's the dispute over Bill Sweeney's bonuses, the agreements between clubs and countries, whether or not Immanuel Feyi-Waboso undergoes surgery… it's all a big distraction.
There really should be a director of rugby at your side to answer those questions when they inevitably arise. It is completely open and for a young coach that is a big ask.
England have fantastic players on paper, but first they have to be selected and then they have to be trained well. That's all I want to hear Borthwick talk about.