RFU Chief Signals Support for Borthwick Amid Six Nations Review
Bill Sweeney, the chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, has strongly suggested that head coach Steve Borthwick will continue to lead the England rugby team through the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures this summer. This comes as the RFU conducts a formal review into England's disappointing Six Nations campaign, which saw the team achieve only one victory and suffer a heartbreaking 48-46 defeat to France in Paris.
Sweeney stopped short of providing a definitive confirmation that Borthwick will be in charge for the challenging Test matches against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina in July. However, he emphasized that the primary focus of the review is to provide additional support to the existing coaching staff rather than making sweeping changes.
No Approach Made to Andy Farrell
In a significant revelation, Sweeney disclosed that the RFU has not made any approaches to Andy Farrell, the highly successful Ireland head coach whose contract expires after the 2027 World Cup. Farrell, who has led Ireland to two Six Nations titles including a grand slam and guided the British & Irish Lions on a successful tour last summer, is considered the outstanding coach in European rugby.
"He is under contract to the 2027 World Cup," Sweeney stated. "We're not in a dialogue, we're not in a discussion with him at the present. Our primary focus is to support that coaching team and take them forward."
This frank admission could prove problematic for the RFU given Farrell's complicated history with the organization. He previously served as England's defence coach under Stuart Lancaster before the entire staff was dismissed following England's early exit from the 2015 World Cup. Three years later, he rejected an offer to join Eddie Jones's backroom team after failing to receive assurances about eventually replacing Jones as head coach.
Review Focused on Support Mechanisms
Sweeney expressed clear disappointment with England's Six Nations performance, which statistically represented their worst campaign in the tournament's history. "No one was more disappointed than we were in the Six Nations," he said. "There was a lot of expectation going in, coming off a run which was really strong. That was not how we expected it to go."
The RFU chief indicated that the review process, expected to be completed by the end of April, will likely result in changes or additions to Borthwick's backroom team rather than his replacement. One possibility under discussion is the creation of a general manager role similar to that held by South Africa's Rassie Erasmus, which would allow Borthwick to concentrate more fully on coaching responsibilities.
"I see the outcome being for us to make sure we have got the right support mechanisms in place to address that, and support Steve to get that right, going forward," Sweeney explained regarding the review's objectives.
Challenges Ahead for England Squad
England faces a daunting schedule following their disappointing Six Nations performance. Their next assignment against double world champions South Africa in Johannesburg presents a formidable challenge, particularly after England lost four consecutive Six Nations games for the first time in their history.
The logistical complexities of the summer fixtures add another layer of difficulty. Fiji has moved their nominal home game to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium for commercial reasons, creating a grueling travel schedule for England as they hop between hemispheres. The RFU had explored sending some players directly from South Africa to Argentina and fielding a reserve team against Fiji, but Sweeney confirmed this would not be possible due to squad size restrictions.
"There isn't scope at the moment to expand that above 36," he said regarding the Professional Game Partnership with Premiership Rugby that limits Borthwick to selecting a 36-man squad for the summer fixtures.
As the review process continues, the RFU faces pressure to provide Borthwick with the necessary support to turn around England's fortunes while navigating the delicate situation surrounding Andy Farrell's future availability and the immediate challenges of the summer Test schedule.
