England have decided Steve Borthwick needs certainty before the World Cup. English rugby supporters might reasonably ask when they’ll get some.
There is something magnificently English about rewarding a coach for producing uncertainty by giving him more certainty.
Steve Borthwick is having his contract extended beyond the 2028 Six Nations because, apparently, the greatest danger facing England before the 2027 Rugby World Cup is not inconsistent rugby, questionable selections, a disastrous Six Nations or another tactical identity crisis.
It is Steve worrying about LinkedIn.
The RFU argues that Borthwick and his coaching staff cannot possibly enter a World Cup wondering whether they might need another job afterwards.
How traumatic.
Millions of supporters, meanwhile, have spent the past few seasons wondering whether England might eventually remember how to become one of the best rugby teams on the planet.
Perhaps they could be offered similar contractual reassurance.
Because what, precisely, is being renewed?
England are the richest and most heavily resourced rugby nation in the world. They have an enormous playing population, one of the strongest domestic rugby infrastructures anywhere, elite academies, Twickenham, commercial power, Premiership clubs and a player pool most international coaches would happily crawl across broken glass to inherit.
And yet we are still being told about “potential”.
Potential?
England should have been cashing that cheque years ago.
Conor O’Shea says England are one of five teams capable of winning the World Cup.
Wonderful.
So are several other countries operating with considerably smaller populations, smaller budgets and fewer structural advantages.
The question isn’t whether England can win the World Cup.
The question is why England so frequently performs as though winning it would constitute some extraordinary administrative miracle.
Borthwick deserves credit for taking England to the 2023 World Cup semi-final and dragging a confused team back towards competitiveness.
But there comes a point where “stabilising England” stops being an achievement and starts becoming the minimum job description.
Then came the 2026 Six Nations — described within the RFU itself as “horrendous”.
Naturally, the obvious response to a horrendous championship is a contract extension.
Perhaps the next logical step is to give everyone a bonus.
Lose a few Tests? Pension contribution.
Finish mid-table? Company car.
Get hammered by South Africa? Congratulations, Steve, we’ve added another six months.
The strangest part is that England occasionally look genuinely dangerous.
That may actually be the biggest indictment.
There is talent everywhere.
Power everywhere.
Athleticism everywhere.
Young players emerging.
Experienced internationals available.
Yet England remain a team permanently advertised as being twelve months away from becoming England.
The RFU talks about the “best version” of this side.
England supporters have been waiting for the software update.
Maybe Australia 2027 will finally provide it.
Maybe Borthwick produces the tournament of his career, and England win the World Cup.
If he does, the RFU will look inspired.
But right now this feels less like a rewarding achievement and more like insuring against awkwardness.
Borthwick apparently needs certainty.
English rugby needs something else.
Results. Identity. Progress. And preferably all three before somebody renews the contract again.
