RFU backs Steve Borthwick for 2027 Rugby World Cup

England head coach Steve Borthwick has received the Rugby Football Union's backing to lead the team into the 2027 Rugby World Cup, regardless of results in November's Nations Championship fixtures.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to Borthwick, whose contract now runs until mid-2028.

Steve Borthwick Retains RFU Support After Six Nations

Borthwick faced scrutiny following England's disappointing 2026 Six Nations campaign, which saw the team lose four of their five matches, including a historic first defeat against Italy.

England finished fifth after recording four defeats in a single Six Nations campaign for the first time. Despite the disappointing results, Borthwick retained the RFU's support following a post-tournament review.

Victories against Fiji and Argentina during July's Nations Championship fixtures, following an opening defeat to South Africa, helped ease the pressure on the England head coach.

Sweeney reiterated the RFU's confidence in Borthwick's approach while emphasising the need for continued improvement.

“We’re committed to Steve,” said Sweeney, who made the decision to axe Jones in 2022 after his seven-year reign unravelled amid losses to the Pumas and Springboks and a draw with New Zealand.

“We’ve extended his contract until the middle of 2028. We believe in what he’s doing.

“We had a difficult Six Nations this year; we accept that, but we just want to see continued progress, and we’re backing him to get that done.”

RFU Explains Steve Borthwick Contract Extension

Borthwick's contract was extended in September 2026, with Sweeney confirming that the agreement now runs until the middle of 2028, covering the 2028 Six Nations.

Sweeney explained that the extension was intended to remove uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff's future during preparations for the World Cup.

The RFU chief executive also confirmed that succession planning remains under regular consideration.

“We just felt that going into a World Cup is a tough enough challenge anyway,” added Sweeney.

“We wanted our coaching team to be focused just on the World Cup, not be thinking ‘Oh, I don’t have a role lined up’ and be thinking about that in the build-up.

“It was to take away any distraction around that and transition the same coaching team into the 2028 Six Nations. That was the sole intention.

“It’s exactly the same in the Olympic world. All of the performance directors have contracts that go six months beyond the Olympic Games. We wanted to take away any uncertainty or disruption.”

The decision contrasts with the dismissal of former England coach Eddie Jones in December 2022, following an autumn campaign that produced one victory, one draw and two defeats.

England Prepare for Australia Nations Championship Test

England face Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday, November 8, before hosting Japan on November 14 and New Zealand on November 21.

The Nations Championship will conclude with Finals Weekend from November 27 to 29.