Itoje Backs Borthwick to Lead England to Greatness

Maro Itoje has expressed his unwavering support for England head coach Steve Borthwick, believing the team can accomplish remarkable feats under his guidance. Despite a dismal Six Nations campaign, where England suffered four consecutive defeats and finished fifth, Itoje remains optimistic about the team's potential. The England captain attributes the team's poor performance to a lack of cohesion, but is confident that Borthwick and his coaching staff can reverse the team's fortunes. Itoje stated, "We have faith in our approach and believe in the abilities of our coaches, including Steve, Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield, Joe Shaw, and Lee Blackett." He emphasized the need for the team to learn from their mistakes and move forward positively, saying, "We just need to come together, learn from our errors, and move forward with confidence." Itoje's vote of confidence comes as Borthwick is set to lead the team in the inaugural Nations Championship this summer, with fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina. A satisfactory performance in these matches could secure Borthwick's position as head coach until the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.