Itoje Backs Borthwick to Lead England to Greatness

Maro Itoje has expressed his unwavering support 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 run was marred by four consecutive defeats, including a historic loss to Italy, resulting in a fifth-place finish. According to RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, Borthwick will be given the opportunity to lead the team in the upcoming Nations Championship this summer. If Borthwick can deliver a strong 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 failed to meet expectations in the Six Nations, given their 11-Test 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 team, 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 unchanged. I have a deep belief in this England team, and I think we will go on to accomplish great things. It's just a matter of learning from our experiences and moving forward."