The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Steve Borthwick will remain as England men's head coach through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, following a review of the team's worst Six Nations performance in 50 years. England lost four championship games in a single season for the first time since 1976, prompting a detailed and robust review by the union.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney stated that sacking the head coach was not the optimal solution, having previously dismissed Eddie Jones nine months before the 2023 World Cup. "This has been a thorough and honest review, and it is clear that improvement will come from addressing several areas rather than chasing one simple answer," Sweeney said. He highlighted the team's recent strong performances, including against France, and expressed confidence in the coaching group.
The review involved independent rugby figures and in-person interviews with players, coaches, and backroom staff. It concluded that England's underperformance was not due to a single failure but multiple interconnected areas, including discipline and execution of opportunities. The RFU acknowledged fan frustration and said improvement is required for consistent performance at the expected level.
England will begin their Nations Championship campaign against South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 July, followed by matches against Fiji in Liverpool and Argentina in Santiago del Estero. The RFU has given Borthwick and his coaching staff full backing for the next 18 months.
