Rugby Union Apr 24, 2026

Eddie Jones: England would be foolhardy to sack head coach Steve Borthwick after poor Six Nations run

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Eddie Jones: England would be foolhardy to sack head coach Steve Borthwick after poor Six Nations run

Former England head coach Eddie Jones believes sacking Steve Borthwick would be "foolhardy" despite a poor Guinness Six Nations campaign.

England finished fifth in the table following a , with the round-one victory over Wales the solitary win from a tournament which had promised so much.

The Rugby Football Union is set to review England's worst performance in Six Nations history, but head coach Borthwick continues to have the support of his players and has already been backed by RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.

Australian Jones took on the England role from 2015 until his departure in 2022 and worked alongside then-assistant coach Borthwick, who replaced him ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Jones feels now is not the time for another change as England regroup for the build-up to the Nations Championship, which begins against South Africa on July 3, and on towards next year's World Cup.

"Steve's done a good job with England," Jones said on the Rugby Unity podcast, which he co-costs with David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie.

"There is no doubt that they had a bad tournament, so he will need to show to the RFU that he knows why he has had a bad tournament, he knows how he is going to turn it around and I am sure he can do that."

Jones, now in his second spell as Japan head coach, added: "I think [Borthwick] is the right man to coach England and I think they [RFU] should support him through this.

"Maybe he has got a few things wrong and they will need to help him rectify those errors, but they would be foolhardy to change.

"I think they are still struggling to find [their identity]. I think Steve knows how he wants to play and I think there is probably an internal battle going on within the players."

Former World Cup winner Will Greenwood expects England to stick with Borthwick.

Despite England's turbulent campaign, Greenwood expects Borthwick to be in charge of the Nations Cup tournament this summer, then lead England into the World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia from October 1 to November 13 2027.

"I would be reasonably confident that the RFU will make a decision that they see enough that he will lead England to the World Cup in 2027," he told Your Site.

"Borthwick has beaten all the top sides but the worry for me is just the inability to go back to back. To go toe to toe and win consistently against the best sides, that's the question mark hanging over his head."

Tags:

rugby-union news

Share this article

Related Posts

England suffer double Women's Six Nations injury blow with Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt ruled out of rest of tournament

England suffer double Women's Six Nations injury blow with Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt ruled out of rest of tournament

England have suffered a double injury blow with Morwenna Talling and Natasha Hunt being ruled out of the remainder of the Women's Six Nations.The duo...

Maro Itoje says England can achieve special things under Steve Borthwick in public vote of confidence

Maro Itoje says England can achieve special things under Steve Borthwick in public vote of confidence

Maro Itoje has reaffirmed his support for Steve Borthwick, insisting England can achieve "special things" under his leadership despite an abject Six N...

Lewis Moody: Former England captain to cycle 500 miles from Newcastle to Twickenham to raise funds for Motor Neuron Disease foundation

Lewis Moody: Former England captain to cycle 500 miles from Newcastle to Twickenham to raise funds for Motor Neuron Disease foundation

"I'm good at the moment," says Lewis Moody with a smile.In response to how he is now after revealing his MND (Motor Neuron Disease) diagnosis last Oct...

Women's Six Nations: England score 12 tries in 84-7 demolition of Scotland at Murrayfield

Women's Six Nations: England score 12 tries in 84-7 demolition of Scotland at Murrayfield

England ran in 12 tries in an 84-7 routing of Scotland in the second round of the Women's Six Nations at Murrayfield.Due to a raft of injuries, Englan...

Premiership Rugby: Fin Smith's late try sees Northampton Saints claim thrilling win against Exeter Chiefs, as Bath thump Harlequins

Premiership Rugby: Fin Smith's late try sees Northampton Saints claim thrilling win against Exeter Chiefs, as Bath thump Harlequins

A last-minute try by England fly-half Fin Smith saw Northampton Saints snatch a thrilling 35-28 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday a...

Women's Six Nations 2026: Fixtures, results, schedule, dates and more as England defend championship title

Women's Six Nations 2026: Fixtures, results, schedule, dates and more as England defend championship title

All the fixtures and schedule for the 2026 Women's Six Nations as England defend their title against France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.Saturd...