England head coach Steve Borthwick is set to be offered a contract extension beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) bids to avoid uncertainty over his future during the tournament.
Borthwick’s existing deal is due to expire at the conclusion of next year after the event in Australia, five years after taking charge.
The head coach has been under pressure since overseeing England’s worst Six Nations campaign earlier this year, though retains the RFU’s backing to lead the side into the World Cup.
And while admitting that Borthwick long-term future will ultimately be decided by what happens at the tournament, performance director Conor O’Shea has revealed that a contract extension in 2028 will provide necessary short-term clarity for the head coach and his staff.
“You don’t want them looking for a job going into [a World Cup],” O’Shea explained to the BBC.
“Everyone knows it will be judged on the World Cup, but you can’t have a group of coaches going in with that uncertainty, especially when you look at the timing.
“So we will give that certainty, and that will give us time to look properly.”
The approach is similar to that taken with Borthwick’s Red Roses counterpart John Mitchell, who has since signed a long-term deal after leading England to World Cup success on home soil last year.
Borthwick has won 28 of his 48 matches in charge, leading England to victories over Argentina and Fiji in July after a heavy defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg.
His side take on Australia, New Zealand and Japan in the Nations Championship in November before Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium hosts the finals weekend of the competition.
And O’Shea is confident that England will enter next year’s World Cup among the leading contenders.
“I see in Steve someone who bleeds England, and wants England to succeed more than anything you can imagine,” O’Shea said.
“This England team is unequivocally one of probably five teams who can win the World Cup next year. I believe this team can win a World Cup.
“Is the talent there? 100 per cent. If over this next 12 months this England team shows the best version of itself, I know it can beat anyone in the world.”
