Steve Borthwick faces coaching challenges ahead of pivotal November for England

In October 2024, England's rugby head coach Steve Borthwick faced significant challenges following the unexpected resignations of key coaching staff, Aled Walters and Felix Jones. Walters, who was the head of strength and conditioning, left to join Ireland, while Jones, the defence coach, resigned without securing another position. These departures raised concerns about the stability of the coaching environment, reminiscent of the tumultuous era under former coach Eddie Jones. Borthwick expressed disappointment and surprise at the exits, emphasizing the need to maintain a strong coaching team as they prepare for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series against formidable opponents like New Zealand and Australia. Despite the upheaval, Borthwick remains optimistic about the future, highlighting the influx of high-quality applications from potential coaches eager to join the England setup. He has already appointed Dan Tobin to oversee strength and conditioning temporarily and Joe El Abd as the new defence coach. Borthwick is also pursuing Phil Morrow from Saracens to fill the void left by Walters, although negotiations have been complicated by Morrow's recent contract extension with his club. The England squad is gearing up for a challenging series of matches, and Borthwick is focused on fostering continuity and building relationships within the team. He aims to ensure that the players are well-prepared to compete effectively against top-tier international teams. The upcoming matches will be crucial for assessing the team's progress and resilience in the face of recent coaching changes. Borthwick's leadership will be tested as he navigates these challenges, but he remains committed to creating a stable and successful environment for the players and coaching staff alike.