The key facts

  • The RFU has publicly backed Borthwick through the 2027 World Cup regardless of results
  • The coach's contract has been extended until the end of the 2028 Six Nations
  • In November, England will face Australia, Japan and New Zealand in the Nations Championship

A guaranteed place at the World Cup

England rugby head coach Steve Borthwick has received unequivocal backing from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) leadership: he will lead the team at the 2027 World Cup in Australia regardless of results in matches before the tournament, AFP reported citing RFU chief Bill Sweeney.

Context of the decisions and results

Two months ago, the RFU extended Borthwick's contract until the end of the 2028 Six Nations — despite England losing four of five matches in the current edition for the first time in the tournament's history, including a first-ever defeat to Italy. The coach's position was strengthened by wins over Fiji and Argentina in the July stretch of the inaugural Nations Championship, following a heavy defeat to the reigning world champions, South Africa. England head into Sunday's match against Australia at Twickenham, which opens the European leg of the new tournament, with five defeats in their last seven tests.

Comparison with the sacking of Eddie Jones

Sweeney, who in 2022 decided to dismiss the previous coach, Eddie Jones, after an autumn series with just one win in four tests, said a repeat of that scenario with Borthwick is out of the question: «We are committed to Steve. We believe in what he is doing. We had a difficult Six Nations this year, we acknowledge that, but we simply want to see continued progress and we support him in that». According to him, the contract extension was made so that the coaching staff could focus solely on preparing for the World Cup and then move on to the 2028 Six Nations without any restructuring.

Upcoming matches

In November, England will play Nations Championship matches against Australia, Japan and New Zealand. For the game against the Wallabies, the team hopes to have fly-half Fin Smith back, who is recovering from a calf injury: he took part in training on Wednesday, and, according to defence coach Richard Wigglesworth, his response to the workload will be assessed within the next 24 hours. England men's team's only World Cup title is the victory in the 2003 final.