England extends Borthwick contract past 2028 Six Nations with World Cup in view

The Rugby Football Union will extend Steve Borthwick's contract past the 2028 Six Nations, according to reporting from BBC Sport on September 9. The extension is designed to provide certainty to the coaching group heading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, removing the distraction of job security during the tournament itself.

RFU performance director Conor O'Shea framed the decision as necessary stability for a World Cup campaign. "You don't want them looking for a job going into a World Cup," O'Shea said, per BBC Sport. "Everyone knows it will be judged on the World Cup, but you can't have a group of coaches going in with that uncertainty, especially when you look at the timing. So we will give that certainty, and that will give us time to look properly."

Extending Borthwick's deal into the middle of 2028 allows the RFU time to assess the coaching situation for the longer term after the World Cup concludes. O'Shea stated he cannot envision a scenario in which Borthwick is not in charge in Australia. "This England team is unequivocally one of probably five teams who can win the World Cup next year," O'Shea said, per the BBC. "I believe this team can win a World Cup."

The decision comes after England endured their worst Six Nations campaign this year, placing Borthwick under considerable pressure, according to the Guardian's reporting on September 9. However, England recovered during the summer Nations Championship in July, winning two of three matches after a loss to South Africa with victories over Fiji and Argentina, per BBC Sport.

The RFU has deliberately stopped short of long-term backing, unlike rival programs such as Ireland, who signed head coach Andy Farrell through to 2031, according to BBC Sport. Borthwick's contract is explicitly contingent on World Cup performance. Any extension beyond 2028 will depend entirely on results in Australia, leaving the question of succession open if England underperforms.