Borthwick’s England Future In Tatters

Bullied by the Irish, dismantled by the Scottish, embarrassed by the Italians, potentially fired by the French.

England entered the Six Nations on an 11-game winning streak, which included a 33-19 victory over New Zealand in November.

Steve Borthwick said in January: “On 14th March we’re playing against a brilliant France team in Paris.

“We want to be in a position in that game to get what we all want to achieve.”

England then cruised past Wales in the first round of the Six Nations 48-7.

Since then, only a win in Paris this weekend might save Borthwick’s job after three losses on the bounce.

Meanwhile the ‘Brilliant France team’ will play England tomorrow aiming to become the most successful Six Nations country ever.

Borthwick has built his rugby philosophy as a coach on the basis of a great defence.

But he boasts the most points conceded per match by an England coach in the Six Nations era, nearly five more than the next worst Brian Ashton.

During the run of three loses, England have missed the most tackles in wide areas of the pitch leading to tries, an astonishing 18.

In contrast, Scotland who play for their first Six Nations title this weekend, only missed four tackles in wide areas.

England’s poor discipline has meant they’ve spent 108 minutes this campaign down a man on the pitch.

If England pick up one more card in Paris, they will make history for most in a campaign, currently having seven yellow and one red.

Captain Maro Itoje is responsible for two of those yellows, both came in loses against Scotland and Italy, Itoje will continue to start and captain the side tomorrow.

Borthwick has overseen a first ever loss for England to Fiji and Italy, but has also coached his side to wins against New Zealand and France.

Since taking the reign over Eddie Jones, Borthwick has a win percentage of only 59%, compared to his predecessor Jones claiming 72%.

This summer, the first ever Nations Championship will kick off, England’s first fixture will be against World Cup champions South Africa.

A fixture England will now be playing in Johannesburg as heavy underdogs against the Springboks.

Slumped to three defeats in row, England could very likely be heading to five.