Steve Borthwick reveals messages of support from previous England incumbents

Steve Borthwick said advice from previous England head coaches helped him focus ahead of one of the biggest weeks of his Twickenham tenure. England opened the autumn with a 45-22 win over Australia, a result that Borthwick framed as an emphatic response to a July tour report alleging a toxic environment under his leadership. The Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Bill Sweeney also backed him to stay in place through next year’s World Cup. England still needed a convincing performance after a poor 2026, and injuries clouded the outing: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s ankle issue and Seb Atkinson’s bruised hip left both uncertain, with Atkinson a doubt for the Japan match on Saturday.