The England head coach has endured a tough Six Nations – losing to Scotland, Ireland and Italy
The Rugby Football Union say they are “fully committed” to Steve Borthwick, despite England’s woeful Six Nations campaign.
Having started the tournament with a comprehensive victory over Wales at Twickenham to extend their winning run to 12 matches, the wheels have fallen off their campaign – losing matches to Scotland, Ireland and Italy. The latter in Rome marked the first time England had ever lost to the Italians – having won the previous 32 meetings.
Having once hoped to head to Paris next week for a Grand Slam decider against France, they are now battling to avoid their worst-ever Six Nations campaign.
Since the tournament introduced Italy in 2000, England have never failed to record less than two victories in a single campaign.
Despite the insipid performances in the last three rounds, the RFU have insisted that Borthwick is the right man to lead them into next year’s World Cup in Australia.
“After a 12 match winning run, these past three results have been hugely disappointing, and we feel that just as much as everyone else,” said Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the RFU, in a statement.
“Steve and his coaching team are working tirelessly to make improvements, and we remain fully committed to supporting them and the players as they face France this weekend and then look ahead to the Nations Championship.
“Part of that support is being open about what hasn’t gone right during this Six Nations and making sure everyone has a clear sense of how we move through those challenges together. That’s something we’ll be talking through and working on in the days and weeks ahead.
“We will work together to understand and rectify why we have been unable to meet the expectations and anticipation going into these games. England fans rightly expect a team that learns and grows through adversity, and we’re confident this group will do everything they can to deliver that.”
The RFU’s vote of confidence comes as the odds on the next coach to replace Borthwick have emerged.
Former Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara is 3/1 favourite with William Hill, with Ireland and Lions coach Andy Farrell priced at 4/1.
“England’s underwhelming Six Nations campaign hit a historic low with their first-ever defeat to Italy, heaping more pressure on under-fire head coach Steve Borthwick,” said William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps.
“Having lost three on the spin, RFU bosses have plenty of options to select from should they cut short Borthwick’s tenure – current La Rochelle coach and former Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara is our favourite to succeed Borthwick, priced at 3/1, just ahead of current Ireland and 2025 British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell (4/1).
“Other names in the frame include ex-All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter and Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson – all 8/1.”
Further back in the odds are two familiar faces to Welsh rugby.
Warren Gatland, having recently turned down the head job at Harlequins is priced at 16/1, while his former assistant Shaun Edwards is 20/1.
Gatland was of course linked with the England job back in 2022, when Borthwick was hired to replace the sacked Eddie Jones.
At the time, Gatland even jokingly thanked the Welsh Rugby Union for hiring him for a second time to keep him away from taking over at Twickenham, although sources suggest that his links to the job never went further than a polite conversation.