So it’s done.
And from the mood music that existed around Welford Road all day last Saturday, which began around a year ago when the excrement was approaching the fan in Twickenham, it all ended with a clinching question from m’ learned colleague Adam Whitty.
Monday was always the day when things would get sorted out.
Messrs Borthwick and Sinfield are now in the national setup, only two weeks after Eddie Jones was sacked. Who says HQ always moves slowly?
Succession planning is obviously in place with talk already of Matt Proudfoot and Brett Hodgson leaving. But the spinning plates haven’t all been at Twickenham.
It’s not a coincidence surely that Matt Everard who joined the Academy coaching setup in October, was involved in Tigers’ warm-up on Saturday - and that wasn’t the first time, either. Having fulfilled both defence and attack coach roles at Wasps, you would expect him to play a leading role in the short-term at the very least. Having Jack Willis’ number
It sounds a naive thing to say, but while there is a massive hole to be filled (and to use a plumbing analogy, it’s only been plugged), Leicester are not short of coaching numbers as they were not long prior to the Borthwick era beginning. Pete Tom can also pocket the compensation, at least in the short-term.
Wigglesworth has the job presumably until the end of the season (more on that anon) but it is noticeable that Brett Deacon has been overlooked. However it may well be that Leicester clarify the precise coaching lineup in the coming days.
Some shoes to follow.
What happens at the end of the season?
Wigglesworth has been one of the most underrated players in Premiership history and is charismatic in front of a microphone. On his retirement from playing duties, he has earned the fattest, greasiest burger of his life - though that may well say more about my diet than his.
But he is only Acting Head Coach. The opportunity is there for him to show what he can do. Equally, the temptation to join Borthwick’s team in the summer - or after the World Cup - will be there. Especially with England’s 9-10-12 partnership not exactly firing on all cylinders.
Results - as ever - will dictate what happens. But he is going to be tested straight away, going up against George Skivington and Alex Sanderson over the Christmas period. First question he will have to answer is if Youngs and Van Poortvliet are away for the Six Nations, is would he put the boots back on? He may not need to, though.
As harsh as it sounds, half-backs are where Eddie Jones took terrific stick over and it wasn’t just the 10 position. I’m not saying I would, but axing Ben Youngs would be a very obvious statement to say that a) this is a different England, b) this is not a Leicester love-in. With Robson, Mitchell and when fit, Quirke available, there are options.
Aled Walters’ future long-term will also be on the minds of supporters. But England may not be his destination. With Warren Gatland back in Wales - and his long-time fitness guru Paul Stridgeon not long at Racing - if there is a vacancy long-term, Wales would be an interesting option. With the Premiership finishing in May, there’s more than enough time for that to happen for the World Cup.
While Leicester have stemmed the breach, this could be an unsettling time whatever happens.
THREE WINS TO GET HOME ADVANTAGE?
JOE BATLEY NEVER SCORED ONE LIKE THIS FOR TIGERS
Three in a row…it’s felt like old times, frankly.
But that is your lot for 2022. I’m backing my bags after Christmas and heading for the beach. Best wishes to you and yours and let’s do this again next year.