Wednesday 16 December 2015 15:21, UK
Stuart Barnes says that Bristol have every right to challenge the RFU over appointing Steve Borthwick England's forwards coach.
Bristol released a statement saying they have not given Steve Borthwick permission to take up the role - minutes after The Rugby Football Union announced Borthwick as the first new appointment to Eddie Jones' coaching staff.
"Bristol have every reason to be upset, they signed a long-term contractual agreement with Steve Borthwick and Bristol's interests are Bristol's interests - they have nothing to do with England," said Barnes on Sky Sports News HQ.
"If it is true that the RFU were not given permission to speak to Steve Borthwick, then the etiquette from the RFU has been pretty poor."
Barnes believes Borthwick will still become England's forwards coach, but it may take a little longer and a little more money to get him.
"Bristol are totally in the right to say what they have said and are playing hardball. As I said, if he wants to go then he will but there is a breach of a recently-signed contract - I am not a lawyer but Bristol are in a strong position here and will want recompense. Bristol may make it a lot more difficult and it could be a lot more expensive than the RFU would have liked."
I am not a lawyer but Bristol are in a strong position here and will want recompense. Bristol may make it a lot more difficult and it could be a lot more expensive than the RFU would have liked.
Gamble
When the RFU finally do get their man, he will be a valuable asset, however Barnes believes it is a bit of a gamble as Borthwick is still an inexperienced coach.
"Forwards coach is interesting," added Barnes. "Borthwick was a magnificent lineout forward as a player and clearly did a great job with Japan in that area - but it is worth reminding England fans that he was not scrummage coach for Japan - another area they were excellent in - that was a guy called Marc Dal Maso.
"Borthwick was very much a specialist coach for Japan and by the sound of it - forwards coach - is going to be a much broader role.
"As a player, he knew lineouts like no other but that does not always translate to reading of the game in other areas.
"It is a gamble because he is an inexperienced coach. The plus side of it for Eddie Jones is that he worked with him at Saracens and Jones loves people who have a great eye for details and a work ethic - Steve Borthwick certainly has that.
"Jones has seen Borthwick as a coach more than anyone else in England and he likes what he sees - and Jones is a good judge."
Gaping hole
Saracens defence coach Paul Gustard is also in line to join the coaching staff, and while Barnes thinks he will be a great addition, there is one key area that seems to have been overlooked.
He added: "I would have liked to have seen Sean Edwards and his international experience - but I have no problem with Gustard, who has done an exceptional job at Saracens. Again, he knows Jones and they will fit in very well together. He would be a good signing and is a young coach with a fine future.
"However, the area that England were found the most wanting under the last regime was the breakdown.
"At the moment, there is no talk of a breakdown coach - I said during the World Cup slightly tongue in cheek that if the RFU were really ambitious, that they should approach someone like Richie McCaw.
"I'm not suggesting that is ever going to happen but what I am saying is that England need to be ambitious.
"Jones is an ambitious man but at the moment, the breakdown is a gaping hole in England's strategy. Steve Borthwick does not have those skills, Eddie Jones does not have those skills - maybe Gustard has some idea, but I think that is one hole that needs to be plugged."
