The British & Irish Lions have reportedly decided against hiring any of England’s coaching staff, including John Mitchell and Matt Proudfoot.
Mitchell, who serves as England’s defence coach, and forwards coach Proudfoot had been linked to a role with the Lions after England had won eight games on the trot in 2020.
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However, according to the Telegraph, England’s poor performance in the recently concluded Six Nations – where they lost to all three home nations for the first time since 1976 – has brought a subsequent downturn in both Mitchell and Proudfoot’s chances of joining the Lions coaching staff for their upcoming tour of South Africa.
Instead, it has been reported that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will be hired as the team’s attack coach, while Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is likely to be in charge of the team’s defence.
Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick is set to continue as the Lions’ forwards coach after filling the same role during their 2017 tour of New Zealand.
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