Steve Borthwick: Itoje hails ‘world-class’ coach after Australia rout

Steve Borthwick has been strongly backed by his captain after England’s record 45-22 win over Australia at Allianz Stadium. Maro Itoje called the head coach “a world-class coach” and said England were “lucky to have him”. Borthwick also revealed that several former England head coaches contacted him during a difficult week.

The win came after a newspaper report questioned Borthwick’s man-management during the summer tour. It was only England’s third win in their past eight Tests, but it was a convincing one. England scored seven tries and posted their highest points total against the Wallabies.

Steve Borthwick backed by Maro Itoje

Itoje missed England’s July Tests in South Africa and Argentina. He did not say whether The Times report had fired the players up. But he made it clear he did not agree with it. “Particularly from a player’s point of view we have full support in Steve,” Itoje said, in comments reported by The Guardian.

“I’ve had the privilege of Steve being my coach since 2016 and that’s not the man I recognise,” he added. “The article doesn’t represent the environment I recognise.” Itoje pointed to the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour as evidence. He said Irish and Welsh players on that trip would also speak about Borthwick’s impact.

The captain also took some of the blame for England’s poor run. “Often too much criticism is attached to the coach,” Itoje said. “No matter how well Steve coaches us, we as players are the ones on the field who have to perform.” He finished: “He’s a world-class coach and we’re lucky to have him.”

Steve Borthwick reveals messages from predecessors

Borthwick said the report was “not an accurate reflection” of his set-up. He added that some of the men who held the job before him had been in touch. He would not name them. “In the last couple of days a number of my predecessors have reached out,” he told reporters.

“I won’t name who they are, but the basic gist of it was ‘been there, got the T-shirt’,” Borthwick said, according to the PA report carried by The Independent. “As England head coach, you need to focus on the rugby and that’s what I’ve done this week. That’s what the players have done. That’s what every member of the staff have done.”

The support from inside the camp is not new. Before the game, hooker Jamie George also spoke up for his coach. Our report on Jamie George backing Steve Borthwick covers how the squad dealt with the claims on Friday.

Steve Borthwick: key facts after England 45-22 Australia

Detail	Fact
Result	England 45-22 Australia, Allianz Stadium, Sunday 8 November
Tries	Seven for England, including two for Henry Pollock
Recent record	Third England win in their past eight Tests
RFU position	Bill Sweeney backed Borthwick to lead England to the 2027 World Cup
Next game	England vs Japan, Saturday

RFU support and a record win

The result eased the pressure that had built up through a poor 2026. On Wednesday last week, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney publicly backed Borthwick to stay in charge for the 2027 World Cup. Our earlier story on the RFU backing for Steve Borthwick explains that decision and the results behind it.

On the pitch, England were dominant from the start. Henry Pollock scored twice after moving to the wing as a replacement for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The full scoring story is in our England vs Australia 45-22 match report. Borthwick said: “I think there’s another gear in this team and that’s really pleasing and exciting.”

Australia had few answers. Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said: “We didn’t fire a shot in the first half.” Head coach Les Kiss admitted: “The bottom line is that we have to be better.” Wilson called it “three 20-point losses on the trot”, and Australia face Scotland next.

What comes next for England

England face Eddie Jones’ Japan on Saturday in their next Nations Championship match. Feyi-Waboso needs a scan on an ankle injury after lasting only 40 minutes. Centre Seb Atkinson is a doubt with a bruised hip. Our Feyi-Waboso injury update has the latest on both players.

For now, the message from the captain is clear. The players say they are behind their coach, and Sunday’s performance backed up their words. For more results, team news and reaction, follow our international rugby coverage.