Itoje Backs Borthwick to Lead England to Greatness

Maro Itoje has voiced his unwavering support for head coach Steve Borthwick, asserting that England is capable of achieving remarkable feats under his guidance. This comes despite the team's dismal performance in the Six Nations, where they suffered four consecutive defeats and finished fifth. England's disappointing campaign included a historic loss to Italy, marking their first-ever international defeat at the hands of the Italians. The RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has indicated that Borthwick will be given the opportunity to lead the team in the inaugural Nations Championship this summer. If Borthwick can deliver a satisfactory performance against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina in July, he is likely to remain in his position until the end of his contract, which expires after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Itoje acknowledges that England fell short of expectations in the Six Nations, given their 11-Test winning streak prior to the tournament. However, he remains confident in Borthwick and his coaching staff, including Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield, Joe Shaw, and Lee Blackett, to turn things around. 'We believe in our approach,' Itoje stated in an interview with Sky Sports. 'Steve is an exceptional coach, and he is surrounded by a talented team of coaches. We just need to regroup, learn from our mistakes, and move forward positively. Although our performance in the Six Nations was not what we had hoped for, my faith in this England team remains unwavering. I firmly believe that we have the potential to achieve great things; it's just a matter of learning from our experiences and pushing forward.'