Steve Borthwick Set for England Contract Extension Beyond The 2028 Six Nations

Steve Borthwick is set to have his contract as England Head Coach extended beyond the 2028 Six Nations, with the RFU moving to provide stability ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The proposed extension will ensure Borthwick and his coaching staff are not approaching the World Cup with their contracts nearing an end. However, the RFU has stopped short of making a longer-term commitment, with England’s performances over the next 12 months and at the tournament expected to play a significant part in determining what follows.

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Borthwick’s side welcome Australia on Sunday 8th November, Japan on Saturday 14th November and New Zealand on Saturday 21st November as part of the 2026 Nations Championship. England will then host France, Italy and Scotland during the 2027 Six Nations as preparations for the World Cup continue.

RFU Moves to Give Borthwick World Cup Certainty

Borthwick’s existing position had been under increased scrutiny following a difficult 2026 Six Nations campaign, but the RFU has now made clear that it intends for him to lead England into the World Cup.

RFU Performance Director Conor O’Shea explained that the extension is designed to remove unnecessary uncertainty for Borthwick and the rest of the coaching team.

“You don’t want them looking for a job going into [a World Cup],” O’Shea explained.

“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.”

The approach is similar to the one taken with Red Roses Head Coach John Mitchell ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Rather than allowing contracts to become a distraction immediately before a major tournament, the RFU is seeking to give the coaching set-up clarity beyond the competition itself.

It does not, however, mean Borthwick is guaranteed to remain England boss for another full World Cup cycle. Extending his deal beyond the 2028 Six Nations would give the RFU additional time to assess England’s position following the tournament in Australia before deciding on its longer-term plans.

England Looking to Respond After Difficult Six Nations

England entered the 2026 Six Nations following an 11-Test winning run and started the Championship with a convincing 48-7 victory against Wales at the Allianz Stadium.

Results quickly turned, however. Defeats against Scotland and Ireland were followed by England’s first ever loss against Italy in the Six Nations before France secured a 48-46 victory in Paris on the final weekend. England finished fifth after losing four of their five matches, prompting an RFU review into the campaign.

There were more encouraging signs during the southern hemisphere stage of the Nations Championship in July. England were beaten 45-21 by South Africa in Johannesburg in their opening match before responding with a 73-8 victory against Fiji and a 31-24 win away against Argentina.

Those results leave Borthwick with another important run of fixtures ahead this autumn as England continue preparations for a World Cup that will take place across Australia from 1st October to 13th November 2027.

O’Shea Backs England to Challenge for World Cup

Despite England’s inconsistent results during 2026, O’Shea believes the squad has the quality required to compete for the Webb Ellis Cup next year.

“I see in Steve someone who bleeds England, and wants England to succeed more than anything you can imagine,” O’Shea said.

“This England team is unequivocally one of probably five teams who can win the World Cup next year. I believe this team can win a World Cup.

“Is the talent there? 100%,” he added.

“If over this next 12 months this England team shows the best version of itself, I know it can beat anyone in the world.”

The coming months will provide a major test of that confidence. Australia and New Zealand are amongst England’s opponents at the Allianz Stadium during the Nations Championship before another Six Nations campaign begins in early 2027.

RFU Stands Firm on Overseas Selection Policy

Another issue facing Borthwick ahead of the World Cup is the RFU’s overseas selection policy, which prevents players based outside the English Premiership from representing England except in exceptional circumstances.

That means Toulouse flanker Jack Willis remains unavailable despite his performances in France, while Courtney Lawes has put himself back into contention after returning to English rugby with Sale Sharks following his spell at Brive.

Lawes has previously called for the RFU to reconsider the restriction, but O’Shea has defended the policy on the grounds that it helps protect the wider domestic game.

“It is something done not just for England, but for English rugby,” O’Shea said.

“As of now, if all the best players were picked by England and went abroad, and we had less of the top players in our league, the unintended consequence towards investment into that from some of our owners… why would you invest in the pathways if the best players are going to be taken away?

“I get it completely, the life experiences are great. But for the English game, it is absolutely the right thing.”

For Borthwick, the immediate priority will now be preparing the strongest available England squad for a demanding autumn programme. With his contract situation seemingly set to be resolved, attention can remain firmly on performances as the countdown towards Australia 2027 continues.

England Rugby Hospitality FAQs

When is Steve Borthwick’s England contract expected to run until?

The RFU is set to extend Steve Borthwick’s contract beyond the 2028 Six Nations. The move is designed to provide stability before and during the 2027 Rugby World Cup while giving the RFU time to assess its longer-term coaching plans afterwards.

When is the 2027 Rugby World Cup?

The 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup will take place in Australia from 1st October to 13th November 2027. The tournament will feature an expanded field of 24 nations.

Who do England play at home in the 2026 Nations Championship?

England face Australia on Sunday 8th November, Japan on Saturday 14th November and New Zealand on Saturday 21st November at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The stadium will also host the Nations Championship Finals Weekend later that month.

Who do England play at home in the 2027 Six Nations?

England’s home matches in the 2027 Six Nations will be against France, Italy and Scotland at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Can I book England Rugby hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers official England Rugby hospitality for selected international fixtures at the Allianz Stadium, allowing guests to watch England from premium seating while enjoying first-class hospitality before and during the match.