Steve Borthwick is a man of strong principles in an era that often rewards charisma over character. Despite his efforts to explain England’s latest collapse and reassure supporters that a turnaround is imminent, he struggled to fully convey the significance of yet another defeat. It was left to his predecessor, Eddie Jones, to sum up the situation succinctly, remarking simply, “I’m glad I’m not.”
One thing that cannot be questioned is Borthwick’s integrity. He refused to lay blame on referee Ben O’Keeffe for a series of debatable calls that went against England, particularly during the period in which Ireland scored 22 unanswered points. Instead, he pointed to his team’s indiscipline, acknowledging their failure to maintain control. “That’s something that needs to be improved this week,” was the closest he came to holding his players accountable for their second-half collapse.
When given the opportunity to blame England’s conditioning an issue he previously raised in the autumn he instead focused on a few lost aerial contests rather than drawing attention to the fact that he still lacks a head of performance. That vacancy will remain unfilled until the end of the season, highlighting the structural problems within his setup.
Another recurring issue is the lack of impact from England’s bench. Chandler Cunningham-South was one of several replacements who struggled, his errors standing out, but rather than criticizing their inability to change the game, Borthwick spoke more generally about “execution factors” and how problems had begun earlier in the match.
In these moments, he most resembles Stuart Lancaster another coach with an undeniable work ethic but who has repeatedly struggled at the highest level. Both have a tendency to focus on the minute details of a defeat when supporters are desperate for a clearer vision of how the team will improve. Borthwick’s assessment “There’s execution in attack, execution in defence, and there’s execution in the kicking game. And in some key moments, it was a little bit off where it needs to be to win these Test matches” illustrates this focus on granular details rather than a more compelling overall message.
Perhaps most frustratingly for supporters, Borthwick continues to cite England’s inexperience as a primary reason for their struggles. This is concerning because there is little he can do about it in the short term, even if the return of Jamie George provides a much-needed boost. With France up next at Twickenham, the absence of key players competing in the Top 14 only adds to the selection headache.
If Borthwick is considering moving Marcus Smith to full-back and starting Fin Smith or George Ford at fly-half, France would be the game to make that change, given their tendency to play a long kicking game. However, memories of his decision two years ago to drop Owen Farrell for this fixture only for France to dismantle England in a record 53-10 defeat will no doubt weigh heavily.
More concerning is the passive manner in which Borthwick returns to the issue of inexperience. Throughout the week leading up to the Ireland match, England’s players and coaches spoke of “journeys” and “processes,” but there was little indication of genuine belief that they could secure a victory. While it is understandable to avoid overconfidence, particularly given England’s history of scrutiny, there was also a lack of conviction when it mattered most.
Even more frustrating is the suggestion that experience alone leads to success. The assumption that England will inevitably improve with time ignores the fact that there is no guarantee of progress. Last year’s Six Nations suggested the team was on an upward trajectory, yet there was always a lingering question about whether they had already reached their ceiling. The reality is that success does not necessarily depend on experience. When France claimed the Grand Slam in 2022 by sweeping aside England in Paris, they started the match with 401 caps. The England XV that took the field in Dublin this past weekend had 568.
What England does possess, in keeping with their head coach, is an abundance of character. For the first half, they executed their game plan effectively, disrupting Ireland’s rhythm, striking when opportunities arose, and defending with resilience. However, Borthwick’s tendency to tailor his selection and strategy for each individual opponent may be part of the problem. When England’s initial approach is neutralized, they seem unable to adjust, leaving them vulnerable once the opposition adapts.
Yet, the commitment of the players cannot be questioned. Tom Curry, pushing through despite his injury, and the visible disappointment etched on the faces of England’s squad after another frustrating loss, are testaments to their dedication. The concern, however, is that in modern rugby, character alone is not enough.
