Itoje Expresses Confidence in Borthwick's Leadership

Maro Itoje has reiterated his backing for Steve Borthwick, emphasizing that England is capable of achieving remarkable success under his guidance, despite a disappointing Six Nations campaign. England's Six Nations effort ended in disappointment, with the team finishing fifth after suffering four consecutive losses, including a historic defeat to Italy. According to RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, Borthwick will be given the opportunity to lead the team in this summer's Nations Championship fixtures. If Borthwick can deliver a satisfactory performance against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina in July, he will be in a position to see out his contract until the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Itoje acknowledges that England fell short of expectations in the Six Nations, given their 11-match winning streak prior to the tournament. However, he believes that Borthwick and his coaching staff have the ability to turn things around. 'We have faith in our approach,' Itoje stated in an interview with Sky Sports. 'Steve is an exceptional coach, and his staff, including Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield, Joe Shaw, and Lee Blackett, are all highly skilled. We need to come together as a team, learn from our mistakes, and move forward positively. Although we didn't achieve the success we had hoped for, my confidence in the team remains unwavering. I firmly believe that this England team will go on to accomplish great things; we just need to learn from our experiences and move forward.'