RFU backs Steve Borthwick despite England’s historic Six Nations loss in Italy

Steve Borthwick still has the backing of the RFU, at least for England’s summer matches, despite a disastrous Six Nations campaign. Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP

The Rugby Football Union has backed Steve Borthwick to continue as England head coach into the summer and arrest their drastic decline but the chief executive, Bill Sweeney, stopped short of pledging his support through to the World Cup next year.

Borthwick is under intense scrutiny after England’s first defeat by Italy on Saturday extended their losing run to three matches following miserable losses against Scotland and Ireland. Austin Healey is among the former players calling for Borthwick to be sacked with England on course for their worst Six Nations campaign, and Ben Youngs, the most-capped men’s player, believes that the side is “set up to just not lose”.