'Hugely disappointing': RFU issue statement on Borthwick and England
NEWS: Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney says important discussions will take place in the coming days to address the challenges the England team is facing.
Steve Borthwick’s side suffered their third defeat in a row in the Six Nations when they went down 18-23 to Italy in Rome on Saturday.
It was their first-ever defeat to the Italians in Test rugby, and some question marks are hovering over the team.
England will travel to France in their final match knowing that they can finish no higher than fourth in this season’s tournament – and could even end up with the wooden spoon – although that remains unlikely due to their points difference advantage over Wales.
Borthwick’s future has been one of the main topics of discussion in the media after the latest defeat. However, Sweeney said the RFU has thrown their support behind him.
“After a 12-match winning run, these past three results have been hugely disappointing, and we feel that just as much as everyone else,” said Sweeney.
“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.
“Part of that support is 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. That’s something we’ll be talking through and working on in the days and weeks ahead.”
He added: “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.”
