"Change likely" – Steve Borthwick's England exit date as head boss confirmed
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Steve Borthwick is set to lead England Rugby until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with his RFU contract extending through the tournament. Despite some rocky moments, the RFU is opting for stability over chaos—at least for now.
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From Chaos to Bronze… and Back Again
Two years ago, England sacked Eddie Jones after a run of poor results. In came Borthwick, who navigated a favourable World Cup draw and dragged England to an unexpected bronze medal. But what followed was anything but smooth sailing.
A string of narrow defeats to top-tier opposition, including three consecutive home losses to southern hemisphere heavyweights, left fans disillusioned. The mood was grim, and Borthwick was under fire. Even a captaincy change couldn't prevent a five-point loss in Dublin, punctuated by yet another second-half collapse. Things were going downhill—fast.
A Twist of Fate: Fortunes Flip in Spring
Then came the turnaround. England shocked France and rode their luck against Scotland. Both games could have gone the other way, but these gritty wins injected belief into a squad that had consistently promised more than they delivered.
With momentum building, they hammered Italy and blew Wales away. In just one Six Nations campaign, England's back row transformed into a dominant force, and the fly-half pulled the strings with precision. Sure, there are still questions in the midfield, and their phase play needs tightening, but England emerged as the one team that truly exceeded expectations.
Learning from Eddie and Clive
The RFU isn't taking chances. They're learning from the prolonged reigns of Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward that both ended ugly. Whether England thrives or stumbles in Australia, the expectation is that Borthwick will step aside after 2027.
For now, though, England is banking on consistency—and hoping Borthwick's steady hand will guide them to new heights.
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Freddie Steward – The rock-solid fullback cast aside
It wasn't long ago that Freddie Steward was considered a guaranteed starter for England. A defensive rock under the high ball and a reliable last line of defence, he played a crucial role in England's World Cup campaign.
Yet, in a shocking turn of events, Borthwick has axed him in favour of Marcus Smith—a player who isn't even a specialist fullback. This drastic move highlights just how far Steward has fallen in the pecking order. Nobody saw this coming.
Zach Mercer – From France's best to England's forgotten man
Zach Mercer's return to the Premiership was met with serious hype. After being named Top 14 Player of the Year at Montpellier, it seemed inevitable that he would finally be given a proper shot in an England jersey.
A call-up to a World Cup training camp suggested Borthwick was keen to reintegrate him, but Mercer never added to his two caps. His stint at Gloucester has been frustrating, and with reports suggesting he'll leave at the end of the season, his England career looks all but over.
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