England’s Cumbrian-born head coach Steve Borthwick has received the backing of the RFU after a review of the team’s dismal Six Nation’s showing.
Their only win came at the start of the Championship against Wales, who eventually finished bottom, but the review pointed to a lack of discipline, accuracy and cutting edge, among other factors.
Many pundits thought Borthwick’s job was on the line as this was England’s worst performance since the tournament’s expansion from the Five Nations in 2000.
In a statement RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “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.
“This is a young England team that is still growing and developing, and we understand progress in international sport is rarely linear.
“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 Rugby World Cup 2027.”
Although an unnamed panel of rugby individuals annually assess England’s performances in the Six Nations, Sweeney had admitted this year’s review would have to delve deeper into an unusual outcome.
The statement concluded: “We recognise why supporters felt frustrated and that they expected more.
“That disappointment was shared internally, and it underpinned the seriousness with which everyone engaged in this process.
“England head coach Steve Borthwick has engaged in the review with honesty and rigour, and he and his coaching team are already addressing issues identified.”
