Steve Borthwick is poised to receive a contract renewal from the Rugby Football Union that will keep him at the helm of the England team well beyond the 2028 Six Nations campaign. The RFU has decided to grant the extension now in order to eliminate any doubt about his position before the upcoming World Cup and throughout the tournament itself.
As performance director Conor O'Shea explained, "You don't want coaches worrying about their jobs as they head into a World Cup. Everyone knows the ultimate judgment will come after the tournament, but you cannot send a coaching group into that environment with that kind of uncertainty, especially given the timing. By providing certainty now we give ourselves the space to plan properly." Borthwick returned to the England job after a difficult Six Nations review and is now tasked with guiding the side to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
England entered the 2026 Six Nations on the back of an impressive 11‑test winning streak, but the campaign quickly unraveled. 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 such defeat on Italian soil – and a record home loss to Ireland. The poor run left Borthwick’s side in fifth place in the final standings, a disappointing position just 18 months before the next World Cup. Following the dismal performance, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney publicly affirmed his backing for Borthwick.
"The review has been thorough and honest, and it is clear that improvement will come from addressing a range of issues rather than looking for a single quick fix," Sweeney said. "Steve has engaged fully with the process, laid out clear plans to act on the findings, and we stand behind him and his coaching staff as we head into the Nations Championship and the series of matches that lead up to Rugby World Cup 2027." At the same time, England’s back‑row stalwart Courtney Lawes and centre Joe Marchant have been reminded that they must prove their worth in the domestic league before they can expect automatic inclusion in the autumn international squad. Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth outlined the expectations for the two players during the five competitive fixtures that will take place before Borthwick finalises his squad for the second phase of the Six Nations. Both Lawes and Marchant, who were members of the 2023 World Cup squad, have returned to England after spells in France, signing for the Sharks over the summer.
Their repatriation makes them eligible for selection under RFU rules, which require players to be contracted to a Premiership club. Lawes, a centurion with 105 caps, brings a wealth of experience, leadership and back‑row expertise, while Marchant offers a much‑needed alternative in an area of the team that has struggled for consistency. Wigglesworth stressed that reputation alone will not guarantee selection: "We want as much quality as we can get in the league, but they have to earn their places by performing. There are good players in the mix and to pick them you have to leave someone else out, so they need to go above and beyond." He added, "It’s fantastic to have Courtney back – his experience is legendary and he’s been flying in pre‑season.
The excitement around his return to the Premiership is palpable. I even ran into Joe Marchant locally and it was great to catch up – having him back is also a huge boost." 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 extending his international career into the 2027 tournament at the age of 38. Under RFU policy, only players based in the Premiership are eligible for England selection, so his move from France back to the domestic league reopens the door.
Wigglesworth noted, "Each player’s situation is individual – where you want to play and what you want to achieve matters. I couldn’t have given up the chance of England because I wasn’t playing as much as others. But Courtney said, ‘I have an itch here and I’m coming back.’ That statement shows his determination. His experience and drive put him in a strong position, and we’re eager to see what he can contribute." The contract extension for Borthwick is seen as a strategic move to provide stability and allow the coaching team to focus on long‑term development rather than short‑term job security concerns.
With the World Cup looming, the RFU hopes that a clear mandate will enable Borthwick to implement his vision, address the shortcomings exposed during the Six Nations, and build a squad capable of competing for the title in Australia. The upcoming Premiership season will be closely monitored, as performances from Lawes, Marchant and other key players will influence the final squad selections for the remainder of the Six Nations and the crucial build‑up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.