Steve Borthwick: RFU backs England boss but demands improvement
Head coach Steve Borthwick has been backed to turn England’s form around after a Rugby Football Union review blamed a lack of discipline, accuracy and cutting-edge technology for a dismal Six Nations campaign, among other factors.
England’s only victory was a defeat by Wales in the opening round, which left Wales bottom of the table.
Defeats in the other four matches constituted England’s worst performance since the tournament left the Five Nations in 2000.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “This has been a comprehensive and honest review and it is clear that progress will be made by addressing a range of areas rather than pursuing one simple answer.”
“This is a young England team that is still growing and developing and we know that progress in international sport is rarely linear.
“Steve has been involved in this process with full openness and has clear plans to address these findings.
“We are all behind him and his coaching team qualifying for the Nations Championship and series of games leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”
A review of England’s performance by an anonymous panel of rugby figures interviewing coaches and players is standard practice after the Six Nations campaign.
But Sweeney has previously admitted this year had to take a deeper look at an “unusual outcome”.
The RFU say “performance secrecy in a competitive sporting environment” prevents them from revealing the full details of England’s shortcomings.
But they were coming on in more than one area, he said, adding that Borthwick’s case was strengthened by the year-long winning streak he compiled just before England’s dip in form.
“The review concluded that England’s poor performance in the Six Nations, despite a 12-match winning streak, was not due to a single failure or problem,” he said.
“Instead, it emphasized a number of interconnected areas of performance, including discipline, implementation of opportunities and making the most of key moments where improvement was required for England to consistently perform at the expected level.
“We know why fans are frustrated and expect more. This disappointment has been shared within the company, reinforcing everyone’s seriousness in this process.
“England head coach Steve Borthwick conducted the review with honesty and diligence and he and his coaching staff are currently addressing the issues identified.”
