Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 8, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleEngland head coach Steve Borthwick retains full backing from RFU chief Bill Sweeney despite England’s historic first-ever Six Nations defeat to Italy and a damaging three-game losing streak.
LONDON, March 8 (Reuters) - England head coach Steve Borthwick still has the support of the RFU, according to chief executive Bill Sweeney, despite Saturday's first-ever defeat by Italy.
Borthwick's side went into the Six Nations on a 12-match winning run and fully-expected to make a strong title bid, but have now lost three successive games leading to speculation that his position is under threat.
"These past three results have been hugely disappointing, and we feel that just as much as everyone else," Sweeney said in a statement on Sunday.
"Steve and his coaching team are working tirelessly to make improvements, and we remain fully committed to supporting them and the players as they face France this weekend and then look ahead to the Nations Championship."
England thrashed Wales in their Six Nations opener, but subsequently lost to Scotland and Ireland before Saturday's 23-18 loss to Italy in Rome.
It was Italy's first victory over England in 32 attempts and left Borthwick's side facing the possibility of finishing a Six Nations campaign with only one win for the first time.
Sweeney said part of the 'support' would be sitting down and discussing with Borthwick what had gone wrong.
"(It's about) being open about what hasn't gone right during this Six Nations and making sure everyone has a clear sense of how we move through those challenges together," he said.
"That's something we'll be talking through and working on in the days and weeks ahead. We will work together to understand and rectify why we have been unable to meet the expectations and anticipation going into these games.
"England fans rightly expect a team that learns and grows through adversity, and we're confident this group will do everything they can to deliver that."
Borthwick, 46, took over as head coach in December 2022, replacing Eddie Jones.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Yes, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney states that Steve Borthwick and his coaching team still have the RFU's full support despite recent losses.
England started with a win over Wales but has since lost to Scotland, Ireland, and suffered a historic defeat to Italy.
After three successive Six Nations defeats, including a first-ever loss to Italy, there is speculation that Borthwick's position is at risk.
The RFU will discuss with Borthwick what went wrong and work together to address the issues.
Steve Borthwick took over as England's head coach in December 2022, replacing Eddie Jones.
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