Borthwick given RFU backing for World Cup even if England flop in Nations Championship

RFU chief Bill Sweeney offers full support to BorthwickEngland boosted by fly-half Fin Smith returning to trainingSteve Borthwick has been given the Rugby Football Union’s unequivocal backing to lead England into next year’s World Cup even if the side flop this autumn.In September Borthwick’s contract was extended to after the 2028 Six Nations, despite England’s worst ever Six Nations performance earlier this year, to avoid speculation in the buildup to next year’s tournament. But the head coach remains under pressure on the back of five defeats in the last seven matches. Continue reading…

Steve Borthwick has been given the Rugby Football Union’s unequivocal backing to lead England into next year’s World Cup even if the side flop this autumn Steve Borthwick has been given the Rugby Football Union’s unequivocal backing to lead England into next year’s World Cup even if the side flop this autumn. In September Borthwick’s contract was extended to after the 2028 Six Nations, despite England’s worst ever Six Nations performance earlier this year, to avoid speculation in the buildup to next year’s tournament.

But the head coach remains under pressure on the back of five defeats in the last seven matches. England have, however, been boosted with the fly-half Fin Smith coming through a key training session on Wednesday before an autumn campaign that features clashes against Australia, Japan and New Zealand as well as a rankings match on the inaugural Nations Championship finals weekend. Nearly four years ago, Eddie Jones was sacked after an autumn that featured a defeat by