Cumbrian Steve Borthwick is the ideal choice to succeed Eddie Jones as England coach, says World Cup winner Steve Hansen.
Jones is set to step down after next year’s tournament in France.
And Hansen believes Carlisle-born Borthwick – the Leicester Tigers head coach – would be a perfect fit for the role.
“Steve has done a fantastic job and I think he deserves the opportunity. I think he'd be great at it,” said former New Zealand boss Hansen, speaking in the Daily Mail.
“I coached teams he played against and then he was part of the England set-up.
“I've been watching him from afar. He's had success and the players and Eddie speak highly of him from his time with England. Why not give him a go?”
England take on the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.
Former England captain Borthwick has been in charge at Leicester since 2020, and last season led the club to the Premiership title.
They sit seventh in the current table.
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