Sam Warburton says England’s decision to bin off Eddie Jones could transform them from chumps to Six Nations champs.
The Wales and Lions legend expects new boss Steve Borthwick to get a sizeable bounce out of a team which lost more games than it won in last year’s championship.
Borthwick assembles his squad in camp on Tuesday ahead of their Calcutta Cup opener against Scotland at Twickenham two weeks today.
Warburton said: “I would not be surprised in the slightest if England pull a Six Nations championship out the bag.”
Jones’ sacking leaves England just nine months and the same number of Tests to turn a losing team into World Cup contenders.
Many argue it is a gamble by the Rugby Football Union to ditch Jones so close to the tournament in France.
Not Warburton, who said: "Eddie did a great job with England, but the inconsistency over the last 12 to 18 months didn't warrant him to continue, which I think by his own admission he knows as well.
“I don't think England would have competed at the World Cup if they had continued at the same trajectory.
“Bringing in a new coach really can invigorate a team as players need to impress and really fight for their places again. We saw that honeymoon phase with Warren Gatland in 2008 and Eddie in 2016.
“So it won’t surprise me if England go into the last weekend of the Six Nations with the championship to play for. They have a good start, they can build nicely. I wouldn't write them off at all.”
Since winning the World Cup in 2003 England have just the one Grand Slam to their name, in Jones’ first campaign seven years ago.
Borthwick did not win a Six Nations in his 57-cap playing career but Warburton has been hugely impressed with his transition into coaching.
“The hard thing a coach has to do is get everyone to buy in,” said the Welshman, speaking at an event for Sage, the official insights partner of the Six Nations.
“Steve will get them to do that immediately and the players will love it, the environment he and Kevin Sinfield will create.
“Having been coached by Steve on the 2017 Lions tour I know him to be very calm, composed and concise, as the best coaches are. That simplicity breeds confidence.
“England's player pool is freaky, so many boys to pick from, so many big, athletic, powerful players who can dominate the game physically.
“If they play a style more towards what Leicester were doing, then England are going to be a real force.”
