Borthwick backed by RFU

He will lead England into the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle

LONDON:

Steve Borthwick was backed on Tuesday by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to be England's coach at the 2027 Rugby World Cup following a review of the team's dismal campaign in this year's Six Nations.

England finished a lowly fifth in the Championship, managing just a solitary success in their tournament opener against Wales. They then lost four games in a row, having been on a 12-game winning streak in all matches after defeating the Welsh.

A statement released by the RFU after a 23-18 defeat by Italy on March 7 -- the first time England had lost to the Azzurri -- suggested Borthwick would be given a post-season tour that forms part of the new Nations Championship to save his job.

But it now appears the former England captain will see out a contract that runs until the end of next year, together with his staff.

"This has been a thorough and honest review and it's clear that improvement will come from addressing several areas rather than chasing one simple answer," RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said in a statement.

"Steve has engaged in this process with full openness and has clear plans in place to address these findings.

"We are all behind him and his coaching team going into the Nations Championship and the series of matches leading into the 2027 World Cup."

This season saw England lose four games in a single Six Nations for the first time, a run of defeats that saw Borthwick's position called into question.

'Improvement required'

The RFU said the detailed findings had not been disclosed because "performance confidentiality in a competitive international sporting environment limits the level of detail that can be shared publicly".

Their statement did say the review found that England's poor performance in the Six Nations was "not the result of a singular failure or issue".

"Instead, it highlighted a number of interconnected performance areas such as discipline, execution of opportunities and making the most of key moments, where improvement is required if England are to consistently perform at the level expected."

Only Thomas Ramos's last-gasp penalty denied England victory away to champions France in the final match of the Six Nations.

England now face a gruelling travel itinerary of more than 25,000 miles (over 40,000 kilometres) for the initial stage of the Nations Cup, with Tests against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg, Fiji in Liverpool and Argentina in Santiago del Estero.

That schedule could see England rest players who featured during the British and Irish Lions' victorious tour of Australia last year in a bid to help them remain fresh for the World Cup.

"We've all seen what this England side is capable of –- most recently in the performance against France, and during the strong winning run before that," Sweeney said.

"The challenge now is delivering that level consistently. This is a young England team that is still growing and developing and we understand progress in international sport is rarely linear."

In keeping faith with Borthwick, the RFU have avoided a repeat of the process that led to his appointment following a poor run of results under England predecessor Eddie Jones.

Borthwick, 46, an assistant coach under Jones with Japan and England, replaced the veteran Australian boss just months out from the 2023 World Cup but still led England to third place in France.