England Rugby's Season of Reckoning: Five Key Challenges for Steve Borthwick’s Squad Ahead of the Six Nations
The clock is ticking. As England prepares to unveil its Elite Player Squad (EPS) on January 14, 2024, Steve Borthwick’s position as head coach is hanging by a thread. Despite leading the team to a Rugby World Cup Bronze Medal, England’s campaign has been marked by a series of near-misses, raising questions about whether Borthwick can take them from good to great.
Can he deliver on the promise of a top-tier team, or is it a case of “could’ve, should’ve, didn’t”?
The Uncomfortable Truth: A Record of "Nearly"
Borthwick’s tenure has been a mixed bag. With 13 wins and 14 losses from 29 matches, his record paints a picture of a team that is close but not quite there. In matches against rugby’s “Big Four”—France, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa—England has won only one out of 11 contests. Yes, they came close to toppling South Africa in the World Cup semi-finals, but that’s not enough for a team with ambitions of being the world’s best.
There have been flashes of brilliance, notably their stunning victory over Ireland in the 2024 Six Nations, but the inconsistencies—such as losses to Wales, France, and South Africa—paint a sobering picture.
The Culture Clash: Is Borthwick's Approach Really Working?
One of the ongoing debates about Borthwick is his approach to coaching.
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