Steve Borthwick is under mounting pressure as England prepare for their final Six Nations match against France in Paris.
However, RUCK sources suggest the head coach will be given the upcoming summer internationals to prove he is still the right man for the job, regardless of what happens this weekend.
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England entered this year’s Six Nations with significant momentum after a 12-match winning run, raising expectations that Borthwick’s side could challenge for the title. Instead, the campaign has turned into a disastrous one, with a string of defeats leaving England facing the prospect of one of their worst finishes in the competition’s history.
Despite the downturn in form, the RFU are understood to retain faith in Borthwick for now. The governing body believes the team’s recent success prior to the tournament shows the progress made under his leadership, even if the Six Nations has raised serious questions about England’s direction.
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Crucially, the RFU appear prepared to judge Borthwick more heavily on England’s upcoming summer fixtures.
England will take part in the inaugural Nations Championship this July, facing a demanding set of opponents. Borthwick’s side are scheduled to play South Africa on 4 July, Fiji on 11 July and Argentina on 18 July in the opening rounds of the new global competition.
Those matches could prove decisive in determining Borthwick’s long-term future. A strong showing against three difficult opponents would help rebuild confidence in the England set-up, while further struggles would intensify the scrutiny already surrounding the coaching staff.
For now, the RFU’s message appears clear: Borthwick will be given the summer to turn things around.
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11-man shortlist to replace England boss Steve Borthwick emerges
RugbyPass have drawn up an 11-man shortlist of potential successors, ranging from international heavyweights to Premiership coaches and a few left-field outsiders. Here’s a brief look at their reasoning — and a RUCK verdict on how realistic each appointment actually is, scored out of 10.
England head coach shortlist — RUCK verdict
Scott Robertson
RugbyPass: “Razor lost a dressing room power battle… following an internal review into defeats to Argentina and South Africa.”
RUCK verdict:
If Robertson truly became available, England would be mad not to explore it. He’s the most innovative coach of the generation and a serial winner with the Crusaders. The issue is politics: England appointing a recently ousted All Blacks coach would be explosive, and Robertson might prefer another Super Rugby/All Blacks pathway.
If Robertson truly became available, England would be mad not to explore it. He’s the most innovative coach of the generation and a serial winner with the Crusaders. The issue is politics: England appointing a recently ousted All Blacks coach would be explosive, and Robertson might prefer another Super Rugby/All Blacks pathway.
Likelihood: 6/10
Ronan O’Gara
RugbyPass: “There have been whispers about his future all season… he said he hoped his next rugby was in charge of an international side.”
RUCK verdict:
O’Gara is one of the hottest properties in world coaching. But England appointing an Irish icon before the 2027 World Cup feels unlikely. The IRFU would also fight hard to keep him in their pipeline.
O’Gara is one of the hottest properties in world coaching. But England appointing an Irish icon before the 2027 World Cup feels unlikely. The IRFU would also fight hard to keep him in their pipeline.
Likelihood: 4/10
Andy Farrell
RugbyPass: “Without a doubt… a popular choice among the fans… but extremely unlikely to leave with the World Cup so close.”
RUCK verdict:
A dream candidate on paper — respected in England, hugely successful with Ireland. But he’s targeting the next World Cup cycle and is deeply embedded with the IRFU.
A dream candidate on paper — respected in England, hugely successful with Ireland. But he’s targeting the next World Cup cycle and is deeply embedded with the IRFU.
Likelihood: 2/10
Rob Baxter
RugbyPass: “He was willing to speak with the RFU when they were looking for Eddie Jones’ successor.”
RUCK verdict:
Baxter is exactly the kind of English, Premiership-proven operator the RFU historically gravitates toward. The question is whether he’d abandon Exeter during a rebuild.
Baxter is exactly the kind of English, Premiership-proven operator the RFU historically gravitates toward. The question is whether he’d abandon Exeter during a rebuild.
Likelihood: 6/10
Phil Dowson
RugbyPass: “He is known to have ambitions of coaching England one day.”
RUCK verdict:
Dowson is a rising English coach with strong man-management credentials. But this would be a huge leap from club rugby to a crisis national job.
Dowson is a rising English coach with strong man-management credentials. But this would be a huge leap from club rugby to a crisis national job.
Likelihood: 5/10
Shaun Edwards
RugbyPass: “One of the RFU’s biggest mistakes… was not snapping him up.”
RUCK verdict:
A legendary defence coach — but never a head coach at this level. France also value him enormously and he’s in a comfortable role.
A legendary defence coach — but never a head coach at this level. France also value him enormously and he’s in a comfortable role.
Likelihood: 3/10
Johann van Graan
RugbyPass: “He has turned Bath into a trophy-winning machine.”
RUCK verdict:
Van Graan is quietly becoming one of the best club coaches in Europe. But he’s frequently linked with a future Springboks job, which may be the bigger prize.
Van Graan is quietly becoming one of the best club coaches in Europe. But he’s frequently linked with a future Springboks job, which may be the bigger prize.
Likelihood: 4/10
Jamie Joseph
RugbyPass: “After getting into the final two for the All Blacks job, he would probably fancy a crack.”
RUCK verdict:
Joseph is a very good coach — but England rarely go for southern hemisphere outsiders without a Premiership connection.
Joseph is a very good coach — but England rarely go for southern hemisphere outsiders without a Premiership connection.
Likelihood: 3/10
Michael Cheika
RugbyPass: “Someone who certainly has the pedigree… but is working in the NRL this season.”
RUCK verdict:
Cheika loves chaos jobs and has coached in England before. But the RFU may fear another volatile personality after the Eddie Jones era.
Cheika loves chaos jobs and has coached in England before. But the RFU may fear another volatile personality after the Eddie Jones era.
Likelihood: 5/10
John Mitchell
RugbyPass: “Already employed by the RFU… could avoid paying compensation.”
RUCK verdict:
Mitchell is a serious rugby brain and already inside the system. But moving the Red Roses World Cup-winning coachinto the men’s job would be a controversial reshuffle.
Mitchell is a serious rugby brain and already inside the system. But moving the Red Roses World Cup-winning coachinto the men’s job would be a controversial reshuffle.
Likelihood: 4/10
Jake White
RugbyPass: “A former Rugby World Cup winner… looking to get back into coaching.”
RUCK verdict:
The CV is elite, but White hasn’t been close to the international cutting edge for a while. England usually want someone more embedded in their system.
The CV is elite, but White hasn’t been close to the international cutting edge for a while. England usually want someone more embedded in their system.
Likelihood: 2/10
POLL:
RUCK overall ranking (most realistic)
- Scott Robertson – 6/10
- Rob Baxter – 6/10
- Phil Dowson – 5/10
- Michael Cheika – 5/10
- Johann van Graan – 4/10
Dark horse: John Mitchell.
Name every England captain of the professional era
Whether it's the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.
Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let's see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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