Leadership Jersey: Turning round tigers

We have not one but two inspirational speakers from the Leicester Tigers joining us at the next Leadership Jersey event.

Steve Borthwick (left) is the head coach of Leicester Tigers, the reigning champions of England after winning the Gallagher Premiership final in June.

Mr Borthwick had a transformative effect on the Tigers after being appointed in February 2020, at which point the club were struggling in the lower reaches of the Premiership table.

Now the former England rugby union international is to share some insights into the methods he has used since starting the transition from playing to coaching in 2012.

Mr Borthwick will be accompanied by his colleague Kevin Sinfield (right), who joined Leicester Tigers in the role of defence coach in summer 2021 after making his name as a player and coach in rugby league.

Both speakers boast CVs packed with playing and coaching experience in their respective codes of rugby.

During a playing career spanning 16 years, Mr Borthwick amassed more than 400 appearances in rugby union for Preston Grasshoppers, Bath and Saracens, as well as 57 England caps. From 2012 to 2015 he was the assistant coach for the Japanese national team – his tenure culminated in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, when Japan gained a landmark victory over twice world champions South Africa.

From 2015 to 2020 Mr Borthwick was forwards coach for the English national side.

Mr Sinfield made more than 500 appearances for Leeds Rhinos across an 18-year playing career in rugby league, winning 40 international caps for England and Great Britain during that time. After retiring in 2016, he became rugby director of the Rugby Football League for two years prior to returning to the Rhinos in 2018, working as director of rugby until 2021.

Mr Sinfield was awarded an OBE for services to rugby league and charitable fundraising in 2021, having raised more than £3 million through a series of gruelling challenges to support research into Motor Neurone Disease. These efforts came after his friend and former Rhinos’ team-mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND.

The breakfast event will take place at the Pomme d’Or Hotel in St Helier on Friday 19 August, running from 8am to 9am. Both Tigers’ coaches will answer questions from JEP reporter Tom Innes, followed by questions from the audience.

The event coincides with a week-long visit to the Island by Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2022/23 season, which will also include a friendly match against Jersey Reds.

All profits will be donated to the Club’s Tigers Foundation.

Rossborough Insurance, a Gallagher Company sponsor Premiership Rugby and are supporting our event.

Tickets are limited, so get your tickets for this unmissable event before it’s too late.