Were RFU right to back Steve Borthwick? Sam Warburton and Brian O’Driscoll debate ‘wishy-washy’ performance review

It comes following a "robust" performance review in the wake of the Six Nations, which saw England finish second from bottom with just one win in five, coming against bottom-placed Wales.

Borthwick will continue to lead England, and with the World Cup just around the corner in 2027, TNT Sports experts Sam Warburton and Brian O’Driscoll have debated the decision.

Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Gloucester's clash with Sale Sharks, Warburton was particularly damning of the "vague" statement the RFU released.

"We had this in Wales, where I think you have to realise that the 80,000 fans who are going to pay well over £100 to have a ticket, key stakeholders in the game need to know a little bit more," Warburton said.

"I don't think we need to name individuals, that's not fair - there is confidentiality that needs to be respected - but I'd love to know a bit more detail, like a senior player group of six people were all consulted and all unanimously backed Steve Borthwick. That would be a huge statement.

"That's not player power. The hardest thing a coach has to do is win over the players, but let's get some detail like that, or has the coach acknowledged there were some selection problems, which they realised in hindsight? Maybe some backroom staff might have got the training week wrong for certain fixtures and we've resolved these issues?

"But it's just a little bit wishy-washy. I do think they're absolutely right to back Steve Borthwick. I think it would be a bit too quick to throw in the towel on the back of some good work last season, so this summer becomes very important.

"A little bit more information [in the statement] would be nice, because there's nothing we've been told there that we don't already know."

O’Driscoll felt that there was a "sliding doors" moment during last year's Six Nations when England edged a 26-25 thriller over France at Twickenham, which sparked a 12-match winning run.

"If France had managed to win that game, that would have been seven losses in eight [for England], and you just sensed that maybe there was enough time to make a change [before the 2027 World Cup]," he told TNT Sports.

"They won, and then went on this incredible winning streak, with great victories against the likes of New Zealand and in Argentina. I think it's too close [to the World Cup] to be changing coach at this stage.

"Stick with them, the players, certainly from what we're hearing, seem to be really buying into them, and we just hope there is some change and improved performances. It can only get better from this Six Nations."

Former Ireland captain O’Driscoll also gave his view from a player's perspective of the situation, and how they can make the most of it ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia.

"There's no point in giving out about a coach when he's still in situ, right?" O'Driscoll added.

"Even if you're having a quiet word with someone, it benefits no one, because the rumour mill will begin, people will talk and inevitably it will get back to someone in the environment and you'll be persona non grata, you're not going to be selected.

"It doesn't benefit any player to go and be very, very truthful about a current situation if they are taking umbrage.

"Your best option is to make the most of the situation. The coach is there, you have to treat him as if he's going to be there for the World Cup.

"Make the most of the scenario you find yourself in, deliver your best performance, try and connect with the senior players and put it together.

"Look at France, who had a disaster in 2011 under Marc Lievremont, and they almost won the World Cup."

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