ENGLAND'S SIX NATIONS COLLAPSE UNDERSCORES COACHING UNCERTAINTY
Maro Itoje has publicly reaffirmed his backing for head coach Steve Borthwick, suggesting that the national team can still achieve "special things" under his guidance. This declaration arrives as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) weighs Borthwick's future following a particularly bleak Six Nations campaign, which saw England finish fifth after four consecutive defeats, including a historic loss to Italy.
The RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has indicated that Borthwick will be afforded the opportunity to steer a revival during the upcoming summer tour fixtures as part of the inaugural Nations Championship. Itoje acknowledged that the team's performance fell short of expectations during the Six Nations but voiced confidence in Borthwick and his staff's capacity to alter the team's trajectory. Itoje's assertion appears to counter any immediate calls for a wholesale change, framing the current situation not as a crisis requiring revolution, but as a challenge to overcome.
PLAYERS URGE RESPONSIBILITY AMIDST REVIEW
Despite Borthwick's precarious position, Itoje's comments, made at the Football Black List event, emphasize a belief within the playing group. "We believe in what we're doing," Itoje stated. This public vote of confidence from a senior player comes as the RFU conducts an in-depth review of the Six Nations campaign.
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While Borthwick himself lamented England's agonizing 48-46 defeat to France in the tournament's closing match, characterizing it as "so close to being a special day," he also expressed a belief that the "pain will be used to make the team stronger." This sentiment echoes Itoje's call for resilience rather than radical upheaval.
BACKGROUND TO THE TURBULENCE
England's Six Nations performance marks a significant downturn. After an 11-game winning streak entering the tournament, the team stumbled, culminating in an unprecedented loss to Italy and a potential last-place finish, a fate narrowly avoided by a subsequent win against France. The sting of these results is compounded by the departure of senior analyst Joe Lewis to the South African Springboks, a move that occurred shortly before England's scheduled fixture against them.
The RFU's review is expected to scrutinize these results intensely. Borthwick's tenure has been marked by both high expectations and significant disappointments, making the upcoming summer tour a critical juncture for his leadership. Itoje's current stance suggests a desire for continuity and a belief in the existing coaching structure to navigate these challenging times. His past leadership, including an inspiring team talk that preceded a historic victory over the All Blacks in November 2025, highlights his influence within the squad.
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