“Horrendous” is not a word anyone wants to hear in their appraisal.
It was, however, the word chosen by Conor O’Shea, the man responsible for overseeing England’s international success, to describe the men’s team’s 2026 Six Nations campaign.
And many fans will find it entirely apt.
England won only one match, their worst return since the tournament’s expansion a quarter of a century ago. They lacked cohesion, discipline and tactical variety. It prompted profound, widespread questions about the future of head coach Steve Borthwick.
But, O’Shea revealed to Rugby Union Weekly, it has also preceded a contract extension for Borthwick.
Borthwick’s terms now extend beyond the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia to the end of the Six Nations the following year.
The contrast of O’Shea damning England’s performances in one breath, while committing more time and money to the man in charge of them will be curious to many.
But there is logic to it.
“You don’t want the coaches looking for a job going into tournament,” O’Shea explained.
“If they have no certainty, that is the worst case.
“So we’ll give that certainty to the group, but then that will give us time to be able to look properly when it comes to the World Cup.”
While New Zealand’s swift renaissance under new coach Dave Rennie might give pause for thought, only the most disastrous dip in form would shake England determination to stick with Borthwick for that tournament in a year’s time.
The extra six months added to Borthwick’s deal beyond it is no fresh or significant vote of confidence though.
Nothing like the five-year extension that Ireland locked Andy Farrell into in June.
