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. However, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has indicated that Borthwick will be given the opportunity to lead the team in the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures this summer. If Borthwick can deliver a strong performance against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina in July, he will be well-positioned 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, having entered the tournament on an 11-Test winning streak. Nevertheless, he remains confident that Borthwick and his coaching staff can reverse the team's fortunes. "We have faith in our approach," Itoje stated. "Steve, along with his coaching team, is exceptional. We need to come together, learn from our mistakes, and move forward positively. Although we didn't achieve the desired level of success, my belief in this England team remains unshakeable. I firmly believe that we will go on to accomplish great things; it's just a matter of learning from our experiences and moving forward."