Steve Borthwick is poised to receive an extended contract from the Rugby Football Union that will keep him at the helm of the England side well beyond the 2028 Six Nations tournament. The governing body intends to formalise the extension now so that there is no lingering doubt about his position as the team prepares for next year’s Rugby World Cup. RFU performance director Conor O'Shea explained the rationale behind the move: "You don’t want coaches worrying about their job security as they head into a World Cup. Everyone knows the tournament will be the ultimate measure of success, but you can’t send a coaching group into that pressure cooker with uncertainty, especially given the timing.
By offering Borthwick this certainty we give him the space to plan properly and focus on the task ahead." Borthwick returned to the role after a turbulent review of the previous Six Nations campaign. England entered the 2026 championship riding an 11‑test winning streak, but the optimism was short‑lived.
After a promising opening win over Wales, the team suffered four defeats in the next five matches, including a historic loss away to Italy – the first ever – and a record home defeat to Ireland. The poor run left England in fifth place in the final standings, a disappointing position just 18 months before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Following the disappointing Six Nations, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney publicly backed Borthwick, noting that a comprehensive and candid review had identified a range of issues that needed addressing. "Improvement will come from tackling several areas rather than chasing a single quick fix," Sweeney said. "Steve has engaged fully with the process, laid out clear plans to address the findings, and we stand behind him and his staff as we head into the Nations Championship and the build‑up to the 2027 World Cup." While Borthwick’s future appears secure, two senior England players – Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant – face a different challenge. Both have returned to the English Premiership after spells in France, and they must prove their worth before they can be considered for the autumn internationals.
Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth outlined the expectations for the duo during the five competitive fixtures that precede Borthwick’s final squad selection for the second phase of the Six Nations. Lawes, a veteran back‑rower with over 100 caps, and Marchant, a versatile centre who featured in the 2023 World Cup, re‑joined the Premiership by signing with the Sharks over the summer. Their experience would be invaluable to Borthwick: Lawes brings leadership, a deep understanding of forward play, and a reputation as an England legend; Marchant offers a fresh option in a midfield that has struggled for consistency. However, Wigglesworth made it clear that past achievements alone will not guarantee selection.
"We want the highest quality players we can get in the league, but they have to earn their place by performing well," he said. "There are many good players, and to pick one you have to leave another out, so the returning stars will need to go above and beyond." Wigglesworth also expressed personal enthusiasm about seeing Lawes back in the Premiership. "It’s great to have Courtney back.
He has unbelievable experience, is an England legend, and has been flying in pre‑season, as everyone is. There’s real excitement about watching him back in the Premiership, and I’m enjoying that," he said. He added a more informal note about Marchant, mentioning a chance encounter: "I actually bumped into Joe Marchant walking around near my house, caught up with him, and it’s great to have him back." Lawes had announced his retirement after the previous World Cup, but his return to English rugby has reignited his ambition to add to his 105 caps, keeping alive the prospect of a 2027 World Cup appearance at the age of 38.
Under RFU selection rules, only players contracted to Premiership clubs are eligible for national duty, so his move from France makes him a viable candidate once again. Wigglesworth highlighted the personal nature of such decisions: "Everyone’s case is individual – where you want to play and what you want to do.
I couldn’t give up the chance of England because I didn’t get as much game time as others. But Courtney said, ‘I’ve got an itch here and I’m coming back.’ That’s a powerful statement.
That level of determination and the qualities he possesses should put him in a strong position. Experience, he certainly has that. We are keen to watch him play." In summary, the RFU’s decision to lock Borthwick into a longer‑term deal removes any lingering speculation about the coach’s future and allows the England set‑up to focus squarely on preparing for the 2027 World Cup.
At the same time, seasoned internationals like Lawes and Marchant must translate their pedigree into current form in the Premiership to earn a place in the national squad. Their performances over the coming weeks will be closely monitored, and the pressure to deliver will be intense, but the potential rewards – a place in the World Cup squad and the chance to add to already impressive international résumés – provide ample motivation.