RFU make position on Borthwick future clear after Italy defeat

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have thrown their support behind England head coach Steve Borthwick to take the national team into the Nations Championship, but will undergo a review of their woeful Six Nations campaign.

England came into the Championship as one of the leading contenders for the title, but have since slumped to three successive defeats to Scotland, Ireland and Italy and face the genuine prospect of their worst-ever Six Nations campaign with a defeat next weekend against France.

This is the latest Six Nations failure in recent years for the Men’s side, who have finished fifth, third, fourth, third and second in the years since they last won the title in 2020.

‘We remain fully committed to supporting them’

But, despite seeing their title hopes go up in smoke and England looking at an unwanted record of just one win from five this year, Borthwick retains the full support of the governing body.

Steve Borthwick gives verdict on England future as he insists side aren’t ‘hiding away’ from recent performances

“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 RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.

“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.”

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However, it does not come unconditionally, and Sweeney added that there will be a full review into England’s campaign.

“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,” he said. “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.”

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