RFU extends Borthwick's England contract past 2028 Six Nations — SkimNews
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- Steve Borthwick will have his England head coach contract extended past the 2028 Six Nations, with the RFU moving to avoid job-security uncertainty before and during the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
- Conor O'Shea said the extension into mid-2028 was timed so coaches wouldn't be 'looking for a job going into' the World Cup, allowing the RFU to assess Borthwick's longer-term future afterwards.
- The RFU stopped short of a long-term commitment to Borthwick, contrasting with Ireland's decision to sign Andy Farrell through 2031.
- O'Shea declared England are one of about five teams who can win the World Cup and said the talent is '100%' there, backing Borthwick to lead the side in Australia.
- England finished the July Nations Championship with two wins from three, recovering from a defeat by South Africa in Johannesburg to beat Fiji in Liverpool and edge Argentina.
- Courtney Lawes called on the RFU to review its policy of selecting only Premiership-based players, a rule that currently leaves Toulouse flanker Jack Willis — an outstanding Top 14 performer — ineligible for England.
- O'Shea defended the selection rule, warning that loosening it could deter Premiership owners from investing in pathways if the best players are consistently picked from abroad.
Why it matters: The extension secures Borthwick through the World Cup but stops short of the long-term deal Ireland gave Farrell through 2031, leaving England's post-2027 coaching picture deliberately open. With O'Shea rating England one of five realistic winners, the RFU is betting stability of staff outweighs the risk of a World Cup review forcing another change at the top.
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