Sir Clive Woodward has had his say: England’s rugby slump must end now, and head coach Steve Borthwick needs to make big calls to get there.
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The former England World Cup-winning boss sounded off after England’s fourth straight defeat, calling for immediate action.
England Stunned at Allianz Stadium
Another match, another heartbreak. England’s autumn campaign spiraled further as Australia stole a 42-37 thriller at Allianz Stadium. England had a rollercoaster of a game—leading by 12 points, trailing by 10, and even clawing back to a 37-35 lead thanks to Maro Itoje’s 78th-minute try.
But the Aussies had the final say. Four minutes into added time, Len Ikitau found replacement wing Max Jorgensen, who stormed over for the match-winner, sending shockwaves through the stands.
A Rough Patch Like No Other
Losing six of ten matches this season, including all four in a row, England’s current form is their worst since 2018. Woodward, in his Mail Online column, pulled no punches: “It is no coincidence England are losing tight Test matches because, right now, they are unable to nail international rugby’s big moments when it matters most.”
Borthwick Under Pressure
The heat is on. Woodward commended Borthwick for his honesty post-match but emphasized that results must improve: “Borthwick is now going to come under a lot of pressure.
“That is the lot of an international head coach. You are defined by your results, and England are losing too often right now. So, it is inevitable that there will be heat on Borthwick. There must be a response.”
South Africa Looms
It could get worse. “There is a very real chance that with back-to-back world champions South Africa up next, England will suffer a third straight autumn defeat.
That comes on the back of two summer losses in New Zealand,” warned Woodward. “Such a run is unacceptable for any England team, even if the sides they have faced in that time have been tough opponents.”
No Quick Fix from the RFU
Despite the pressure, don’t expect drastic action from the Rugby Football Union. “There is no way the RFU will hit the panic button,” Woodward added.
“I simply cannot see Bill Sweeney and Conor O’Shea coming to the conclusion that Borthwick is no longer the man to lead the national team forward. But England’s supporters will rightly be very frustrated at developments.”
Losing Focus
What’s the biggest problem? According to Woodward, it’s England’s mental lapses at critical times. He cited the game-deciding restart and highlighted Jamie George’s TNT Sports interview, where the captain admitted some teammates lost focus even when England led 15-3: “That is unbelievable. It simply cannot be tolerated at the highest level.”
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- Exeter Chiefs facing serious battle to keep hold of England star Henry Slade
Fans Unite on Who Should Replace Steve Borthwick
The calls for change have been loud and clear. One fan demanded: “Borthwick has to go before the 6 Nations! Preferably NOW! Recruit Sean Edwards, Andy Farrell, and the recently retired Marler as coaches. The game has moved on, Steve’s missed the transition. What do we need to beat the Boks and France? They are the benchmark!”
“Get Farrell In”
Another supporter made their preference obvious: “Andy Farrell, doubt we could get him but that’s who I’d like to see in charge.” It’s clear that Farrell, who has made waves with Ireland, is a name at the top of many wish lists.
Regret Over Letting Farrell Go
The frustration runs deeper. One fan lamented: “England have regretted letting Andy Farrell go for years. Do whatever it takes to get him back.” The sentiment of missed opportunity is echoed across social media platforms.
Doubts Over Borthwick’s Leadership
“Borthwick out of his depth, just a coach, not a head coach. Get Farrell in,” a voice rang out, summarizing the growing opinion that England’s current head coach lacks the necessary authority to lead.
A Hopeful Thought
Some fans are pinning their hopes on Farrell’s heritage: “Andy Farrell is English. Surely he wouldn’t turn the job down?!”It’s a point that raises the tantalizing prospect of Farrell returning to England, even if it feels like wishful thinking.
Missing Key Defensive Talent
Criticism of Borthwick has extended to the backroom shake-ups: “Borthwick should take responsibility; if he had created a stable work environment, Felix Jones, one of the best defensive coaches in the game, might have stayed.”
Lacking “Oomph”
And finally, a damning remark from another fan: “Their biggest regret will be letting Andy Farrell slide. I get they want an English coach in charge but there is just no oomph to them.”
The pressure is on, and the England camp will need more than just hope if they’re to turn things around.
NEXT ENGLAND HEAD COACH ODDS:
Below we look at the current bookies favourites to replace Borthwick.
Rob Baxter – 12/1
The long-serving Exeter Chiefs coach has built a highly successful team, guiding them from the Championship to European champions.
Although Baxter has expressed satisfaction with his role at Exeter, he remains open to discussing the England job. His experience is primarily at the club level, which might be a consideration for the RFU in selecting a national head coach.
Andy Farrell – 10/1
Ireland’s current head coach, Andy Farrell, would be a high-profile option for England, especially given his previous role as their defence coach from 2011 to 2015.
However, he is under contract with Ireland through 2025, and his departure following England’s disappointing 2015 World Cup could complicate a return to the RFU.
Ronan O’Gara – 6/1
The La Rochelle head coach has established himself as a respected leader in European rugby. O’Gara has previously expressed interest in the England role, but he has acknowledged the mental leap required to take on such a high-profile position.
Family considerations and alignment with England’s rugby leadership would be factors in his decision.
Michael Cheika – 5/1
An experienced international coach with stints leading Australia and Argentina, Michael Cheika brings tactical insight and adaptability.
His broad international background would offer England a fresh perspective from outside the English rugby system.
Stuart Lancaster – 2/1
Currently the frontrunner, Lancaster’s successful period with Leinster has boosted his profile since his last tenure as England head coach.
The Racing boss has expressed interest in coaching England again, although he’s also open to opportunities in the southern hemisphere. Lancaster’s RFU experience makes him a familiar and appealing choice for the role.
