Jamie George backs Steve Borthwick: ‘We are all massively behind Steve’

Jamie George has backed Steve Borthwick and rejected claims of a rift within the England squad before Sunday’s Nations Championship match against Australia at Twickenham.

“We are all massively behind Steve in every way possible,” the England hooker told Sky Sports News on Friday 6 November.

George, who captained England during their summer tour, said players were upset by the report and had discussed it together. England face the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium on Sunday 8 November, with kick-off at 3.10pm UK time.

Jamie George backs Steve Borthwick after report of squad unrest

The Times reported that some players had lost confidence in Borthwick during the summer campaign. Its allegations included a training-ground confrontation with Ellis Genge and a desire for RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney to hear players’ concerns.

Those claims are disputed. George said the report did not reflect his experience of the tour and criticised its publication shortly before a Test match.

He acknowledged that players and coaches reviewed the summer campaign, but described discussions about the team’s environment and lessons learned as a normal part of that process.

England players address the report together

George spoke to captain Maro Itoje before the squad addressed the article on Friday. Itoje and George Ford both contributed to the discussion.

The hooker’s message was that England should respond through their performance against Australia. He said the coverage had brought the group together rather than divided it.

That distinction matters: George did not deny that challenging conversations took place. He rejected the suggestion that those discussions amounted to a breakdown in the relationship between the players and their head coach.

Australia Test follows public backing for Borthwick

The dispute comes during a week in which Sweeney publicly supported Borthwick’s position through the 2027 World Cup.

England’s selection provides a separate focus ahead of Sunday. Itoje returns after being rested for the summer tour, while Fin Baxter starts at loosehead prop and George Furbank is selected at full-back.

Ben Curry starts at openside flanker with his twin brother Tom unavailable because of a hip problem. Our report on Tom Curry’s injury and Ben Curry’s opportunity covers that selection in more detail.

When do England play Australia?

England host Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday 8 November at 3.10pm UK time. Japan and New Zealand follow before the Nations Championship finals weekend.

Date	Fixture	UK kick-off
Sunday 8 November	England vs Australia	3.10pm
Saturday 14 November	England vs Japan	4.40pm
Saturday 21 November	England vs New Zealand	2.10pm
27–29 November	Finals weekend	To be confirmed

Follow further squad updates in our international rugby coverage, with broadcast listings in the rugby on TV guide.