The England head coach, Steve Borthwick, retains the unequivocal support of the Rugby Football Union despite four consecutive defeats.
England have won just four of their 10 Test matches in 2024 and have lost six of their last seven matches against tier one opposition. On Saturday they conceded a record number of points against Australia at Twickenham, again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in losing 42-37. Since Borthwick took charge in December 2022, they have a 50% winning record.
Eddie Jones was sacked two years ago after a run of five wins in 12 matches and with South Africa, the back-to-back world champions, due at Twickenham on Saturday, Borthwick is up against it to arrest his own losing streak.
The Guardian understands, however, that Borthwick has the union’s “100%” backing. He is contracted through to 2027 and it is understood the union views England’s current run as markedly different to the one that cost Jones his job. Privately the union also points to how close England have come to winning their opening two matches, with two missed kicks costing them victory against the All Blacks.
As is standard practice, Borthwick will face an RFU review after the autumn campaign, which concludes with Jones’s Japan visiting Twickenham on 24 November. There is no appetite to remove him, however.
Saturday marks England’s first meeting with the Springboks since last year’s World Cup semi-final and in recent years they have developed a habit of producing impressive performances when under the pump.
“That wasn’t acceptable and we will have an honest look at that,” said Maro Itoje of the last-gasp defeat by Australia. “Once we have done that it is about looking forward to the opportunity and we have an amazing opportunity to do something special, to create a memory for a long time.
“We have our backs against the wall a little bit. It’s still a tremendous opportunity for us and that’s what we need to be excited about. In times like this, it’s tough. I definitely don’t want to be in a situation or scenario like this. But it also presents a wonderful opportunity to use and next week is a wonderful opportunity for us to take control of our narrative and get the rewards for our efforts.
“So from our point of view we want to come back here to Twickenham next week full of energy, full of bounce and just trip into the game, attack the game. And I think if we do that, I think we can get the job done.”
