Steve Borthwick is poised to receive an extension on his contract as England head coach that will carry him well beyond the 2028 Six Nations tournament. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) intends to formalise the deal now in order to eliminate any doubts about his position ahead of, and during, the upcoming World Cup cycle.
Conor O'Shea, the RFU's performance director, explained the rationale behind the move: "You don't want coaches scrambling for a new job as the World Cup approaches. Everyone knows the ultimate judgement will come after the tournament, but you cannot send a coaching team into that pressure cooker with lingering uncertainty, especially given the timing. By providing this certainty we free up the space to plan properly." Borthwick's tenure has already seen him return to the helm in time to steer England into the next World Cup, following a sobering review of the team's performance in the Six Nations.
England entered the 2026 championship riding an 11‑test winning streak, yet the campaign quickly unraveled. After an opening victory over Wales, the side suffered four defeats in the next five matches, including a historic loss away to Italy – the first ever on Italian soil – and a record home defeat to Ireland.
The disastrous run left Borthwick's squad in fifth place in the final standings, a position that feels particularly stark just 18 months before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. In the wake of that performance, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney publicly affirmed his support for Borthwick, noting that the recent internal review was "thorough and honest" and that improvement would come from addressing multiple facets of the game rather than seeking a single quick fix. "Steve has engaged with the process openly and has laid out clear plans to tackle the issues identified.
We stand behind him and his staff as we head into the Nations Championship and the series of preparatory matches leading up to Rugby World Cup 2027," Sweeney said. While the coaching contract is being solidified, two England veterans – Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant – face a different kind of test.
Both have returned to the English Premiership after stints in France and must now prove themselves worthy of a place in the autumn international squad. Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth outlined the expectations for the pair ahead of the five competitive fixtures that will precede Borthwick's final squad selection for the second phase of the Six Nations. Lawes, a centurion with 105 caps, and Marchant, a versatile centre who featured in the 2023 World Cup, re‑joined the Premiership over the summer, linking up with the Sharks.
Their experience could prove invaluable: Lawes offers leadership, a deep understanding of back‑row dynamics and a wealth of tournament experience, while Marchant adds depth to an area of the team that has struggled for consistency. Nevertheless, Wigglesworth made it clear that past achievements will not guarantee selection. "We want the highest quality players we can field, but they must earn their spots by performing at club level," he said. "There are many good players in the mix, and selecting one inevitably means leaving another out, so the bar is set high." Wigglesworth also expressed personal enthusiasm about seeing Lawes back in the Premiership.
"It's great to have Courtney back. He carries unbelievable experience, is an England legend, and has been flying in pre‑season, as everyone is. The excitement around his return is palpable," he remarked.
He added a lighter note about encountering Marchant locally: "I actually bumped into Joe Marchant walking around near my home, caught up with him, and it’s fantastic to have him back." Lawes had announced his retirement after the previous World Cup, but his decision to return to English rugby has reignited his ambition to add to his cap tally, potentially aiming for a cameo at the 2027 tournament in Australia at the age of 38. Under RFU selection policy, only players competing in the Premiership are eligible for national duty, meaning his move from France places him back in contention.
"Each player's situation is unique – where they want to play and what they hope to achieve," Wigglesworth noted. "I couldn’t have given up the chance of England because I wasn’t playing as much as many others.
But Courtney said, ‘I have an itch here and I’m coming back.’ That statement says a lot. His determination and the qualities he brings put him in a strong position. He has the experience, and we’re keen to watch him perform." In summary, the RFU is moving swiftly to lock in Borthwick's services, providing stability for the coaching staff as the nation looks ahead to the 2027 World Cup.
At the same time, the performances of returning veterans Lawes and Marchant in the Premiership will be closely monitored, with their form likely to influence the final squad composition. The overarching message from the union is one of continuity, accountability and a clear focus on delivering improved results on the global stage.