RFU backs Borthwick but flags multiple Six Nations failings

Head coach Steve Borthwick has been backed to turn around England's form after a Rugby Football Union review blamed a lack of discipline, accuracy and cutting edge, among other factors, for a dismal Six Nations campaign.

England's only victory was an opening-round rout of Wales, who would go on to finish bottom of the table.

Defeats in their other four games constituted England's worst performance since the tournament's expansion from the Five Nations in 2000.

"This has been a thorough and honest review, and it is clear that improvement will come from addressing several areas rather than chasing one simple answer," said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.

"This is a young England team that is still growing and developing, and we understand progress in international sport is rarely linear.

"Steve has engaged in this process with full openness and has clear plans in place to address these findings.

"We are all behind him and his coaching team going into the Nations Championship and the series of matches leading into Rugby World Cup 2027."

A dissection of England's performance, carried out by an unnamed panel of rugby figures who interview coaches and players, is standard practice after a Six Nations campaign.

However Sweeney previously admitted that this year's would have to delve deeper into an "unusual outcome".

The RFU says "performance confidentiality in a competitive sporting environment" prevents them revealing full details of England's shortcomings.

However, it did say they came in multiple areas, while adding that Borthwick's case was strengthened by the year-long winning streak England compiled immediately before their dip in form.

"The review concluded that, despite coming off a 12-game winning run, England's underperformance across the Six Nations was not the result of a singular failure or issue," it said.

"Instead, it highlighted a number of interconnected performance areas, such as discipline, execution of opportunities and making the most of key moments, where improvement is required if England are to consistently perform at the level expected.

"We recognise why supporters felt frustrated and that they expected more. That disappointment was shared internally, and it underpinned the seriousness with which everyone engaged in this process.

"England head coach Steve Borthwick has engaged in the review with honesty and rigour, and he and his coaching team are already addressing issues identified."

Steve Borthwick received qualified support from his RFU bosses during the Six Nations, but a few months on - and a "detailed and robust review" later - the England head coach has had his hand strengthened, with Twickenham chiefs, both in public and private, reiterating he is the man to take England through to the World Cup next year.

The RFU statement leaves other questions unanswered. It doesn't take a forensic review for England fans to learn the team had too many yellow cards and didn't execute well enough during the Six Nations; they have eyes and watched the games. However, why England's 2025 progress stalled so dramatically, and why the team regressed so alarmingly, is still unexplained, in public at least.

What is clear is how the players want to play with the same freedom they showed on the final day against France, and the challenge for Borthwick going forward is to give them the confidence and licence to do that.

Ultimately though, as the RFU acknowledges, reviews and statements mean very little in the whole scheme of things. The only currency is winning, and England need to do that this summer to keep the supporters believing.

Those at the top of the RFU are confident the lessons of the Six Nations have been learned, and the team is set for a bright future. South Africa at Ellis Park in July will give us a good idea of whether this is the case.