Eddie Jones gets involved in Steve Borthwick’s future with full investigation underway | Rugby | Sport
The RFU examines every campaign utilising an anonymous panel of internal and external figures, including former players. On this occasion, Borthwick will be required to give explanations and solutions for the team’s four-match losing streak while knowing his position hangs in the balance. Jones, who spent seven years in charge before his dismissal in 2022, believes it would be “foolhardy” to dismiss Borthwick so near to next year’s World Cup in Australia.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast he hosts with David Pembroke and Ewen McKenzie, the Australian said: “Steve’s done a good job with England, they’ve just come off a string of 12 wins.
“There’s no doubt that they had a bad tournament, so he’ll need to show to the RFU that he knows why he’s had a bad tournament, he knows how he’s going to turn it around and I’m sure he can do that.
“I’ll say it again, I think [Borthwick is] the right man to coach England and I think they should support him through this. Maybe he’s got a few things wrong and they’ll need to help him rectify those errors, but they’d be foolhardy to change case now.”
Jones also aimed criticism at the English media, saying: “I think they’re still struggling to find [their identity]. I think Steve knows how he wants to play and he knows to play as he wants.
“But you’ve got this immature English media always wanting to play this glorious game, side-to-side game, so he’s battling that. And I think there’s probably an internal battle going on within the players.”
The RFU’s review process is expected to continue for several weeks, with players and Borthwick’s coaching team being consulted on their perspectives on the heavy defeats to Scotland and Ireland and the capitulation against Italy.
While England were beaten in the tournament’s finale at the Stade de France, it was an impressive display brimming with purpose and offensive ambition that may have secured the 46-year-old some breathing space.
