Steve Borthwick’s coaching reshuffle sparks doubts over England futures of Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield… with Felix Jones set to join in January after helping South Africa win the World Cup

The impending England coaching reshuffle is creating uncertainty and potential unrest as Steve Borthwick plans for the next four-year World Cup cycle.

Now that the dust has settled on France’s 2023 campaign, which culminated in an honorable third-place finish, head coach Borthwick is charting the path for the national team amid rumors of tension behind the scenes.

With Irishman Felix Jones set to be integrated into the Red Rose set-up in January, there is a possibility that not one but two current assistants could move.

Mail Sport has heard from well-placed sources that Leicester are concerned that new head coach Dan McKellar may be lured back to Australia to take charge of the Wallabies in place of Eddie Jones, who resigned from the role earlier this month. That would reopen a vacancy at the Tigers and it is understood Richard Wigglesworth could be tempted to return to Welford Road after serving as England’s attacking coach during the recent World Cup and the preceding summer camp.

The impending arrival of Felix Jones – fresh from his second global success with the Springboks – is believed to cause confusion and doubt over the lines between coaches as his role remains undefined.

Richard Wigglesworth (above) was England’s attacking coach at the recent World Cup

The former Munster full-back had a wide mandate with South Africa and after their victory in Paris, Wille le Roux said: ‘He helps us with our attack, our attacking movements, the backs… I think the Springboks will really do that. miss him.’

It was widely believed that Jones would replace Kevin Sinfield as defensive guru, but his attacking credentials would have left Wigglesworth unsure whether the scope of his job could be changed. One source claimed that the ex-Sale, Saracens and Leicester scrum-half had argued that anyone would struggle to mount an effective attack within the parameters of Borthwick’s rigid system.

Sinfield is expected to leave soon but could continue with England through the next Six Nations, which will act as a transition phase. It is understood Borthwick spoke to him after the World Cup semi-final and demanded guarantees over his commitment for the next four years, but such a long-term arrangement is unlikely. Sinfield may return to the league, but speculation that he will team up with Sam Burgess at Warrington is way off the mark.

After England won the bronze final at the World Cup, Borthwick talked about giving his staff a few well-deserved weeks off before holding a management debriefing. That process will take place before the head coach reports to the RFU hierarchy, as part of a formal review involving an anonymous panel of rugby experts engaged by the union on an advisory basis.

South African officials have confirmed that the Springboks’ winning Webb Ellis Cup is still locked in a safe after burglars broke into their headquarters in suburban Cape Town on Monday. Footage showed two men picking up a replica of the trophy before leaving it to steal whisky, Springbok shirts and laptops – but the room containing the coveted prize was not broken into.

Former Gloucester England winger Jonny May – who retired from Test rugby at the end of the World Cup – has been banned for three matches for a dangerous tackle in his club’s defeat to Bath in Kingsholm last Friday evening. The 33-year-old’s suspension will be reduced to two matches if he completes the Coaching Intervention Program; usually referred to as ‘packing school’.