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RFU plans contract extension for England head coach Steve Borthwick

England head coach Steve Borthwick's contract will run past the 2028 Six Nations, BBC News reports.

Updated Sep 9, 2026 · 08:48 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The Rugby Football Union plans to extend England head coach Steve Borthwick's contract beyond the 2028 Six Nations.[BBC News]
  • Performance director Conor O'Shea stated the extension provides stability ahead of the World Cup while the union considers long-term plans.[BBC News]
  • The RFU has withheld a longer commitment and continues to enforce rules barring overseas players from national selection.[BBC News]

Key facts

  • The Rugby Football Union will extend Steve Borthwick's contract as England head coach past the 2028 Six Nations to provide clarity ahead of the next Rugby World Cup.[BBC News]
  • RFU performance director Conor O'Shea stated that extending Borthwick's contract into mid-2028 allows time to decide who leads the national team over the longer term.[BBC News]
  • The RFU has stopped short of offering Borthwick a long-term contract comparable to Ireland's deal with Andy Farrell through 2031.[BBC News]
  • England head coaches remain restricted to selecting players who play domestically in the English Premiership.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The RFU has not committed to Borthwick on a long-term basis, leaving England's coaching leadership beyond mid-2028 undetermined.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.