England\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n Former England fly-half Stuart Barnes has urged the Rugby Football Union to act decisively and replace Borthwick with Australian coach Michael Cheika.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of the result in Saturday night\u2019s match, my conclusion would have been the same,\u201d Barnes said. \u201cEngland need a fresh man to take them to the World Cup. And that man is Michael Cheika.\u201d<\/p>\n England\u2019s 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\u2019 tenure.<\/p>\n \u201cBorthwick\u2019s was an understandable appointment but it was not thought through deeply enough,\u201d Barnes added. \u201cHe is a coach whose instincts trust statistics rather than players.<\/p>\n \u201cBorthwick is a technician, he\u2019s not a leader. And England need a leader.\u201d<\/p>\n In contrast, Barnes praised Cheika\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cCheika is as inspiring as the present England coach is not,\u201d Barnes said.<\/p>\n Despite concerns over timing, Barnes dismissed the idea that it is too late to make a change before the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cDoubters will say there is insufficient time before the World Cup but Cheika has proved this a myth,\u201d he said. \u201cHe took a toiling Australian team from stragglers in 2014 to World Cup runners-up a year later.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Springboks Dominate 2026 World XV<\/p>\n Based on current form and influence, we have selected a best XV in world rugby right now, choosing the standout player in each position.<\/p>\n 15 Thomas Ramos<\/p>\n Cold as ice and arguably the best kicker in the world, Ramos proved it when he slotted France\u2019s match winning kick in the Six Nations.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u2b50 Save us to your Google Favourites <\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n 14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey<\/p>\n At just 22 years old, Louis Bielle-Biarrey is redefining expectations for a winger. He is now Bordeaux\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n From a hat trick on his Champions Cup debut at 18 to helping deliver Bordeaux\u2019s first European title and claiming Six Nations Player of the Tournament honours, his rise has been rapid and emphatic.<\/p>\n Nine tries in the recent championship is extraordinary and he continues to improve.<\/p>\n 13 Tommaso Menoncello<\/p>\n Italy will be pleased with their campaign, even though they slipped up against Wales in the final round.<\/p>\n Wins over Scotland and England, including their first ever victory against the latter, underline what was a highly successful tournament.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 12 Stuart McCloskey<\/p>\n McCloskey has been central to everything Ireland produced in this Six Nations.<\/p>\n Losing the title in the final minute will hurt, but there were still many positives from a campaign that improved as it went on.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It is easy to see why he earns a place in this team.<\/p>\n 11 Cheslin Kolbe<\/p>\n Few players divide opinion like Cheslin Kolbe, yet when the pressure is highest his impact is undeniable.<\/p>\n While discussion sometimes surrounds his club form in Japan, his Test performances offer a far clearer measure of his quality.<\/p>\n A two time World Cup winner, he has scored in finals, troubled the British and Irish Lions and delivered defining moments for South Africa.<\/p>\n Whether given space or forced under pressure, Kolbe consistently rises to the occasion.<\/p>\n 10 Finn Russell<\/p>\n Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu might have something to say about this choice.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Over the summer he became the Lions\u2019 main creative influence, shaping their most dangerous attacks with clarity and ambition.<\/p>\n Whether leading Bath or steering Scotland through tight Tests, he can shift momentum with a single decision.<\/p>\n At his best, Russell does more than manage a match. He controls its rhythm and direction, as he demonstrated during the recent Six Nations.<\/p>\n 9 Antoine Dupont<\/p>\n Even a long spell out with an ACL injury has not diminished Antoine Dupont\u2019s status as rugby\u2019s benchmark.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The only player to win both of rugby\u2019s major global individual awards, he represents sustained excellence across formats.<\/p>\n Five Top 14 titles and two European Cups underline his dominance at club level.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n