Steve Borthwick is poised to receive a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the England rugby side well past the 2028 Six Nations tournament. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) intends to formalise the extension now in order to eliminate any doubt 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 role as they head into a World Cup. Everyone knows the tournament will be the ultimate test, but you can't send a coaching team into that environment with lingering uncertainty, especially given the timing.
By providing this certainty we give the staff the breathing space to focus on preparation and long‑term planning." Borthwick returned to the England job with the aim of guiding the team to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia after a turbulent Six Nations review. England entered the 2026 championship on the back of an impressive 11‑test winning streak.
Although they opened the campaign with a win over Wales, the side subsequently suffered four defeats in five matches, including a historic loss away to Italy – the first ever – and a record‑breaking home defeat to Ireland. The campaign concluded with England finishing fifth in the Six Nations table, a disappointing outcome just 18 months before the next World Cup. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney recently affirmed that Borthwick will retain the board's backing following a comprehensive review of England's poorest Six Nations performance. "The review was thorough and honest, and it highlighted that improvement will come from addressing a range of issues rather than chasing a single quick fix," Sweeney said.
"Steve has engaged fully with the process, has laid out clear plans to tackle the findings, and we stand behind him and his coaching team as we head into the Nations Championship and the series of fixtures that lead up to Rugby World Cup 2027." At the same time, veteran forwards Courtney Lawes and centre Joe Marchant face a fresh challenge: they must outperform their Premiership rivals to earn a place in England's autumn squad. Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth outlined the expectations for the two players during the five competitive matches that precede Borthwick's selection for the second phase of the Six Nations.
Both Lawes and Marchant were members of the 2023 World Cup squad and have become eligible for England selection again after returning from stints in France to join the Sharks over the summer. Their experience would be invaluable to Borthwick; Lawes brings over a hundred caps, leadership qualities and a strong back‑row pedigree, while Marchant offers a much‑needed alternative in the midfield, an area that has caused England concern in recent weeks. Wigglesworth stressed that past achievements alone will not guarantee selection: "We want as much quality as we can get in the league, but the players have to prove themselves on the field.
There are good players in the mix, and picking one means leaving another out, so the standard has to be exceptionally high." He added a personal note about the returning stars: "It's fantastic to have Courtney back. He has unbelievable experience, is an England legend, and everyone has been talking about his pre‑season form. There's real excitement about seeing him back in the Premiership. I actually ran into Joe Marchant recently – he's living close to me – and it was great to catch up.
Having both of them back adds depth and leadership to the squad." 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 the door open for a potential role in the 2027 tournament at the age of 38. Under RFU regulations, only players competing in the Premiership are eligible for national selection, so his move back from France puts him back in contention. Wigglesworth highlighted the individual nature of each player's decision: "Everyone's case is personal – where you want to play and what you want to achieve. I couldn't give up the chance of playing for England simply because others have more game time.
Courtney said, 'I've got an itch here and I'm coming back.' That's a powerful statement – he wants to be here, he wants to contribute. That determination, combined with his experience, puts him in a strong position.
We're eager to see what he can deliver." In summary, the RFU is moving quickly to lock in Steve Borthwick's services, providing stability for the coaching staff ahead of the crucial World Cup cycle. At the same time, senior players like Lawes and Marchant must demonstrate form and fitness in the Premiership to earn their spots, ensuring that England fields a squad that blends experience with current performance as it prepares for the challenges of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.