England’s disappointing 2026 Six Nations campaign has intensified pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick, with growing calls for a change ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
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Former England fly-half Stuart Barnes has urged the Rugby Football Union to act decisively and replace Borthwick with Australian coach Michael Cheika.
“Regardless of the result in Saturday night’s match, my conclusion would have been the same,” Barnes said. “England need a fresh man to take them to the World Cup. And that man is Michael Cheika.”
England’s performances have raised fresh concerns about their style of play, with critics arguing the team has slipped back into the conservative approach seen in the latter stages of Eddie Jones’ tenure.
“Borthwick’s was an understandable appointment but it was not thought through deeply enough,” Barnes added. “He is a coach whose instincts trust statistics rather than players.
“Borthwick is a technician, he’s not a leader. And England need a leader.”
In contrast, Barnes praised Cheika’s ability to inspire players and deliver quick turnarounds. During his time at Leicester Tigers, Cheika took the club from eighth place to Premiership finalists in just one season.
“Cheika is as inspiring as the present England coach is not,” Barnes said.
Despite concerns over timing, Barnes dismissed the idea that it is too late to make a change before the World Cup.
“Doubters will say there is insufficient time before the World Cup but Cheika has proved this a myth,” he said. “He took a toiling Australian team from stragglers in 2014 to World Cup runners-up a year later.”
Now the decision rests with RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney. Stick with Borthwick and risk World Cup failure, or twist and back Cheika to spark a revival before it’s too late.
EDITORS PICKS:
Springboks Dominate 2026 World XV
Based on current form and influence, we have selected a best XV in world rugby right now, choosing the standout player in each position.
15 Thomas Ramos
Cold as ice and arguably the best kicker in the world, Ramos proved it when he slotted France’s match winning kick in the Six Nations.
Even without that unforgettable moment in Paris, he was outstanding throughout the championship. His goal kicking was close to flawless and his playmaking from fullback made him a crucial attacking weapon.
He even moved to fly half against Italy and looked completely comfortable, highlighting his versatility. Performances like that make his place in this team fully deserved.
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14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
At just 22 years old, Louis Bielle-Biarrey is redefining expectations for a winger. He is now Bordeaux’s all time leading try scorer and holds the record for the most tries in a single Six Nations, remarkable achievements so early in his career.
From a hat trick on his Champions Cup debut at 18 to helping deliver Bordeaux’s first European title and claiming Six Nations Player of the Tournament honours, his rise has been rapid and emphatic.
Nine tries in the recent championship is extraordinary and he continues to improve.
13 Tommaso Menoncello
Italy will be pleased with their campaign, even though they slipped up against Wales in the final round.
Wins over Scotland and England, including their first ever victory against the latter, underline what was a highly successful tournament.
At the centre of that progress was Tommaso Menoncello. Although he played mostly at inside centre, he takes the outside centre position here due to the strength of options at 12.
Powerful with the ball in hand, he ranked among the top five for several carrying statistics and finished fourth for total jackals, highlighting both his defensive influence and attacking threat.
12 Stuart McCloskey
McCloskey has been central to everything Ireland produced in this Six Nations.
Losing the title in the final minute will hurt, but there were still many positives from a campaign that improved as it went on.
With six try assists, the joint highest in the tournament, along with the third most carries, the second most defenders beaten and the fifth most offloads, his influence is clear.
It is easy to see why he earns a place in this team.
11 Cheslin Kolbe
Few players divide opinion like Cheslin Kolbe, yet when the pressure is highest his impact is undeniable.
While discussion sometimes surrounds his club form in Japan, his Test performances offer a far clearer measure of his quality.
A two time World Cup winner, he has scored in finals, troubled the British and Irish Lions and delivered defining moments for South Africa.
Whether given space or forced under pressure, Kolbe consistently rises to the occasion.
10 Finn Russell
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu might have something to say about this choice.
Creativity at fly half rarely arrives with such control. Once seen purely as a maverick, Finn Russell has developed into a commanding playmaker who blends imagination with authority.
Over the summer he became the Lions’ main creative influence, shaping their most dangerous attacks with clarity and ambition.
Whether leading Bath or steering Scotland through tight Tests, he can shift momentum with a single decision.
At his best, Russell does more than manage a match. He controls its rhythm and direction, as he demonstrated during the recent Six Nations.
9 Antoine Dupont
Even a long spell out with an ACL injury has not diminished Antoine Dupont’s status as rugby’s benchmark.
His list of achievements is remarkable, including World Rugby Player of the Year in 15s in 2021 and in Sevens in 2024, three Six Nations Player of the Tournament awards, Olympic gold and numerous domestic and European titles.
The only player to win both of rugby’s major global individual awards, he represents sustained excellence across formats.
Five Top 14 titles and two European Cups underline his dominance at club level.
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