MICHAEL FOLEY, the Bath coach and former Australia World Cup-winning hooker, last night defended Steve Borthwick, his club lock, who he said had been unfairly blamed in some quarters for England’s lineout deficiencies against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday. Foley said it was “overly simplistic” to suggest that because the lineout malfunctioned — England lost 11 throws — the fault lay squarely with Borthwick, who has been the in-form forward in the Zurich Premiership this season.
“People shouldn’t blame Borthwick. The throwing-in was inferior on the day and it has been an area that has troubled Steve Thompson before,” Foley said. “Some of the calling of the lineouts was very naive. Often the jumper was heavily marked. That was nothing to do with Borthwick. The