The England head coach, Steve Borthwick, retains the unequivocal support of the Rugby Football Union and has been given a vote of confidence by senior players despite a dismal run of four successive defeats.
The back-rower Ben Earl has admitted the team are “testing the patience” of their supporters after yet another last-gasp defeat – this time by Australia – on Saturday but the Guardian understands that despite England plummeting to seventh in the world rankings, the RFU has no intention of sacking Borthwick, whose contract runs through to the 2027 World Cup.
