mens
nations-championship
That’s what Maro Itoje said England are “delighted to have” Steve Borthwick as head coach after a the report appeared last week revealing discontent within the squad and a toxic environment under him.
Despite his side producing their best result of 2026 – a record 45-22 win over Australia in the fourth round Nations Championship at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium – the head coach was understandably asked about the post-match report.
While Borthwick said he was “obviously not going to respond to that”, he revealed that a number of his “predecessors” had contacted him with words of support in recent days.
“It’s not an environment I recognize, nor an accurate reflection,” Borthwick said. “But what I will say is that in the last few days a number of my predecessors have called and contacted me. They’re always supportive – I won’t say who they are – a number have come to me and the basic gist of it is: ‘I’ve been, got the shirt, focus on rugby’ and that’s it.
“As England head coach, you get that shirt, that’s it. We just focus on the rugby and that’s what I’ve done this week. That’s what the players have done. That’s what every member of the whole staff around the place has done this week.”
England captain Itoje was quick to jump in and defend his head coach, saying “the article doesn’t represent an environment I recognise”.
This was a very promising performance from England, who have a long way to go to win back their fandom after a dismal start to 2026, where they succumbed to their worst ever Six Nations.
Borthwick’s may still have to prove themselves to their fans, and the rest of the world, and their encounter with All black people in two weeks’ time is the ideal place for that, but Itoje assured he has the full support of his players.
“Can I just add that?” Itoje said after his coach was questioned about the report. “I think, especially from a playing point of view, we have full support for Steve. I’ve had the privilege of having Steve as my coach since 2016, with a slight difference in his Leicester year, and that is not a man I recognize. The article doesn’t represent an environment I recognize, and I think if you talk to the players about his coaching career, they’ll tell a different story.
“As always, there are things we want to correct; there are things we try to put on the field. Sometimes, for whatever reason, it doesn’t quite click and there’s often too much criticism of the coach, and as good as Steve coaches us, we as players are the ones on the field. We as players are the ones who have to perform. There were times when it was a lot of pressure on him.
“I’m delighted we can win today. He’s a world-class coach and we’re lucky to have him.”