England lock Maro Itoje has thrown his unequivocal support behind head coach Steve Borthwick, declaring the national side can achieve "special things" under his stewardship, despite the bitter disappointment of a fifth-place finish in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.
The campaign, which began with an 11-Test winning streak, spectacularly unravelled with four consecutive defeats, culminating in a historic first-ever loss to Italy. The results have placed Borthwick's long-term future under intense scrutiny.
A Vote of Confidence from the Dressing Room
Speaking at the Football Black List event, Itoje, a senior leader within the squad, offered a robust defence of the coaching team. "We believe in what we're doing," Itoje told Sky Sports. "Steve is a great coach - Wiggy [Richard Wigglesworth], Kev [Kevin Sinfield], Joe [Joe Shaw], Lee [Lee Blackett] - all great coaches."
He acknowledged the team's failure to meet expectations but insisted the core belief remains unshaken. "We weren't as successful as we wanted to be, but how I felt at the beginning of the tournament doesn't change now. I have a lot of faith, a lot of belief in this England team, and I think this England team is going to go on to do special things."
The Summer Litmus Test
The path to redemption, and likely Borthwick's job security, now runs through the inaugural Nations Championship this summer. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has indicated the tour will be Borthwick's opportunity to orchestrate a revival.
England face a daunting three-Test southern hemisphere tour in July against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina. A satisfactory return from these fixtures is widely seen as the minimum requirement for Borthwick to see his contract through to its expiry after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Summer Tour Schedule: July 4 - South Africa vs England
Summer Tour Schedule: July 11 - Fiji vs England
Summer Tour Schedule: July 18 - Argentina vs England
Key Takeaways
- Unwavering Support: Maro Itoje has publicly reaffirmed his and the squad's belief in Steve Borthwick and his coaching staff despite a disastrous Six Nations.
- Summer Ultimatum: Borthwick's future is set to be decided by England's performance in the July Nations Championship tour against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina.
- Historical Low: England's fifth-place finish was compounded by a first-ever Test defeat to Italy, marking a historic low point.
- Focus on Lessons: Itoje emphasised the need for the team to "learn the lessons and move positively forward" from the championship disappointment.
For Itoje and England, the focus has already shifted. "It's just about us learning the lessons and moving forward," he stated. The lessons from the Six Nations were harsh, but the test this summer will be even tougher. The road to 2027 in Australia begins now, with Borthwick's leadership on the line and his players publicly staking their claim in his project.