The RFU have taken the easy option and refused to sack Steve Borthwick, which is nothing short of a dereliction of duty on the governing body’s behalf
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is one of the largest sports organisations in England. It is also one of the wealthiest. Its role as the sport’s governing body is to promote and run the international team, while educating coaches like Steve Borthwick in the process.
But good luck talking some sense into Borthwick. Because he appears to be one of the most delusional ones in the whole of the game. Having seen his side’s Six Nations campaign added to the ruins of Rome, Borthwick insisted he was still the right man to rebuild his team.
Despite England now looking to wrestle the wooden spoon from Wales’ grasp, Borthwick wants to lead his side into the next World Cup in 18 months time.
Which shifts the responsibility onto the slumped shoulders of RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney. And in backing Borthwick with some sort of blind faith, he is now putting his own reputation on the line in the coming months.
Under Borthwick, England have become one dimensional, predictable and ill-disciplined. The brutal truth is England have become a reflection of the bloke who coaches them. They lack flair and imagination.
The talent Borthwick still has at his disposal is being chronically wasted and he should be made to explain the reasons England’s Six Nations campaign has gone so horribly wrong. Sweeney has to be holding Borthwick to account.
Because the most damning aspect of England’s latest crushing loss, is the fact they had a fortnight to lick their wounds after being handed their own backsides by Ireland at Twickenham, but couldn’t even raise themselves to beat Italy.
But no-one should be too surprised, when the players are relying on Borthwick to inspire and motivate them.
He is more obsessed with data and science, than producing entertaining rugby. Borthwick simply doesn’t have the vision to get the potential out of the players he picks.
England will take on a smarting French side next, before meeting world champions South Africa in the summer. The chances are these games will be lost, piling even more pressure on Borthwick to justify his exorbitant salary.
But Sweeney has decided to take the easy option, ignoring a golden chance to make a change and replace Borthwick with someone who can be trusted to start building towards the next World Cup.