Sports09 September, 20263 min read
RFU Set To Offer Steve Borthwick Contract Extension Until Mid-2028
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RFU to extend Borthwick's contract through the 2028 Six Nations. Extension intended to avoid uncertainty around England's World Cup campaign.
8 outlets told this the same way.
Borthwick contract extended
Steve Borthwick is set to be offered a contract extension until the middle of 2028, with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) stopping short of committing to his long-term future. RFU performance director Conor O’Shea said, "You don’t want them looking for a job going into [a World Cup]," explaining that the RFU wants to give certainty before next year’s World Cup in Australia. The Telegraph said Borthwick will be backed to lead England through to the World Cup after his current contract expires, while his long-term future will be decided by England’s performances at the tournament.
“So we will give that certainty, and that will give us time to look properly.”
The BBC added that extending Borthwick’s deal into the middle of 2028 will allow time to decide who leads the team in the longer-term, as the RFU moved to ensure clarity going into the global showpiece. O’Shea also framed the World Cup as the key yardstick, saying the RFU will give that certainty "and that will give us time to look properly."
Pressure and endorsement
O’Shea’s comments came as England faced pressure after a dismal Six Nations campaign, with the BBC describing a review into England’s "horrendous" Six Nations earlier this year. In the same framing, O’Shea told the BBC, "Everyone knows it will be judged on the World Cup," linking the RFU’s approach to how coaches and staff enter the tournament. The Telegraph reported that O’Shea insisted Borthwick is completely committed to the national team, quoting him: "I see in Steve someone who bleeds England, and wants England to succeed more than anything you can imagine."
The Guardian similarly quoted O’Shea saying England are "one of probably five teams who can win the World Cup next year," while noting the RFU has not presented Borthwick with similar long-term backing as Ireland’s Andy Farrell. With the RFU extending Borthwick’s contract to avoid uncertainty, the BBC said England recovered in the July leg of the Nations Championship after a bruising defeat by South Africa in Johannesburg, beating Fiji in Liverpool and edging out Argentina.
What’s at stake next
The RFU’s decision leaves Borthwick’s longer-term position tied to outcomes at the Rugby World Cup, with the Telegraph saying England’s performances at the tournament will be pivotal in deciding his long-term future. The Guardian reported that Borthwick’s job will come under further pressure if England disappoint in autumn fixtures against Australia, Japan, New Zealand as well as a final weekend rankings match. The BBC added that O’Shea believes England are one of five teams who can win the 2027 World Cup, and said he can’t see a scenario where Borthwick isn’t in charge in Australia.
Beyond coaching, the Guardian said the RFU announced a new money-spinning venture with England jerseys featuring a sponsor emblazoned across the back for the first time, with the deal with Lloyds Bank thought to be worth £5m a year. The Guardian also said the RFU is expecting to post a £10m loss for the financial year ending 2026 compared with £2m the previous year, with the union telling member clubs that England’s dismal Six Nations performance contributed to the forecasted eight-figure loss.