Itoje Backs Borthwick to Lead England to Greatness

Maro Itoje has reaffirmed his backing for England head coach Steve Borthwick, insisting the team can accomplish remarkable feats under his guidance. Despite a disappointing Six Nations campaign, where England suffered four consecutive losses and finished fifth, Itoje remains optimistic about their potential. England's RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has indicated that Borthwick will be given the opportunity to lead the team in the upcoming Nations Championship this summer. If Borthwick can deliver a satisfactory performance against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina in July, he will be well-placed 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, but he believes in Borthwick and his coaching staff's ability to turn things around. "We have faith in our approach," Itoje said in an interview with Sky Sports. "Steve, along with his coaching team, including Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield, Joe Shaw, and Lee Blackett, are all exceptional coaches. We just need to regroup, learn from our mistakes, and move forward positively. Although our Six Nations campaign was not as successful as we had hoped, my confidence in the team remains unwavering. I firmly believe that this England team has the potential to achieve great things; we simply need to learn from our experiences and push forward."