RFU BACKS STEVE BORTHWICK TO LEAD ENGLAND THROUGH WORLD CUP

The Rugby Football Union has confirmed its backing for Steve Borthwick to remain England's head coach through next year's World Cup, regardless of results this autumn. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said Borthwick's contract was extended in September to run until the middle of 2028. "We're committed to Steve, we've extended his contract to the middle of 2028," Sweeney said. "We believe in what he's doing. We had a difficult Six Nations this year, we accept that, but we just want to see continued progress and we're backing him to get that done."

England had their worst Six Nations campaign this year, which included a first-ever defeat by Italy. They were beaten 45-21 by South Africa in their Nations Championship opener in July. England have lost five of their past seven matches. The RFU's decision follows its dismissal of former head coach Eddie Jones less than a year before the previous World Cup, after an autumn campaign that featured defeat by Argentina, victory over Japan, a draw with New Zealand and defeat by South Africa, a result booed by supporters at Twickenham.

England's autumn campaign includes matches against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, plus a rankings fixture on the finals weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship. Fly-half Fin Smith returned to training on Wednesday ahead of the campaign. Sweeney said the RFU's review after the Six Nations pointed to the team's performances against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina as evidence of improvement. "I thought we responded very well in the Fiji game," he said. "The performance in Argentina was strong." After the defeat by Italy in March, the RFU's backing for Borthwick had been conditional.