Steve Borthwick: Contract bump falls short of vote of confidence

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Borthwick came into the England job having previously worked as the national side's forwards coach and then overseen a remarkable turnaround at Leicester Tigers

BBC Sport rugby union news reporter Published 9 September 2026 "Horrendous" is not a word anyone wants to hear in their appraisal.

It was, however, the one chosen by Conor O'Shea, the man responsible for overseeing England's international success, to describe the men's team's 2026 Six Nations campaign.

England won only one match, their worst return since the tournament's expansion a quarter of a century ago. They lacked cohesion, discipline and tactical variety. It prompted profound, widespread questions about the future of head coach Steve Borthwick.

But, O'Shea revealed to Rugby Union Weekly, it has also preceded a contract extension for Borthwick.