Borthwick backed by RFU despite run of defeats

The Rugby Football Union has publicly backed England coach Steve Borthwick despite a "woeful" Six Nations campaign, but said there will be a full examination of the tournament after England's final-round match against France on Saturday.

“Steve Borthwick's boss has given the England coach his backing, but says there will be a full examination of the woeful Six Nations campaign after the team's final-round match against France on Saturday”

BBC

England sit fifth in the table after successive defeats by Scotland, Ireland and Italy ended a 12-match winning run and left them well out of the title race.

BBC

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said the union remains "fully committed to supporting" Borthwick and his coaching team while also being open about "what hasn't gone right" and working to understand and rectify those issues in the days and weeks ahead.

Borthwick defended his record and the direction of the team after Italy — who had lost their previous 32 games against England — beat England 23-18 in Rome.

When asked if he was the right man for the job, the 46-year-old replied "Absolutely," and said the team will learn from this tough period and aim to be stronger going forward.

BBC

Captain Maro Itoje, whom Borthwick appointed at the start of 2025, told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast that the players must take responsibility, saying the coaches "set us up to do well" and that he and his team on the field must own the performances.

Borthwick was appointed in December 2022 after restoring Leicester Tigers and guiding England close to the 2023 World Cup final.

“Steve Borthwick's boss has given the England coach his backing, but says there will be a full examination of the woeful Six Nations campaign after the team's final-round match against France on Saturday”

BBC

Since then he has had a mixed record, including a frustrating latter half of 2024 with five successive narrow defeats to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

He followed that with an 11-match winning run in 2025.

England are now in a Six Nations slump.

His overall win ratio during his tenure is 59%, below Eddie Jones's 73% and Stuart Lancaster's 61%.

BBC analysis says the RFU were unlikely to act with one game left.

The analysis also stresses that fundamental questions remain about leadership, coaching and player belief.

It says England look 'bereft of confidence,' are 'panicking in defence,' losing discipline and reverting to a kicking game.

The RFU has promised a forensic inquest to determine whether Borthwick can again turn the team around as he did in summer 2023 and autumn 2024.