England have five options to replace Steve Borthwick if RFU sack Six Nations boss | Rugby | Sport

Steve Borthwick is under serious pressure and left the RFU with a decision to make on his future. One of England’s worst-ever Six Nations campaigns shouldn’t be something a coach can walk away from scar-free, not least given the World Cup gets underway in just over 18 months.

The England players have looked shellshocked over the last five weeks or so of rugby, which should be the death knell for Borthwick. But given that very few saw such a calamitous campaign coming, it’s unlikely the RFU will have prepped a replacement plan, should they decide to do the right thing and sack Borthwick.

The bookies’ favourites in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat in Rome, there had been talk of Ronan O’Gara taking the reins before Borthwick was appointed in 2022. It obviously didn’t come to fruition, but that has allowed O’Gara a chance to develop his craft in club management, with a step into the international game now being mooted. The La Rochelle head honcho is contracted until 2027, but if England comes calling, it could prove too good an opportunity for O’Gara to turn down.

Wouldn’t this be something? Andy Farrell has become one of the most respected head coaches in international rugby – something demonstrated by last year’s British & Irish Lions series win in Australia. It’s hard to imagine the RFU not wanting Farrell in charge, such is his pedigree, but with a contract at Ireland until after next year’s World Cup, prying him out of his current position could prove a tough ask.

If the RFU wanted to look closer to home, maybe Mark McCall could be their man. McCall has impressed in the English system, and has helped build Saracens into one of Europe’s most dominant forces. He’s a no-nonsense operator and given the short amount of time before the World Cup, he might be the short-term fix England needs.

Speaking of canny Premiership operators, Phil Dowson has caught the eye in charge of Northampton of late. The club are sitting top of the table, with Dowson praised for the style of rugby he’s introduced. Another tick in the Dowson column is that he’s worked with some of England’s current players, such as Henry Pollock and Fin Smith.

And what about a wildcard name? Richard Wigglesworth sounds like the right sort of pick for that. It would be an easy enough transition, given Wigglesworth is already on the coaching team, which would save the RFU from getting dragged into a battle for another coach’s signature. That being said, it would be a big step up for a man who has never held a full-time position as head coach.