Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

RFU Reviews England's Poor Championship Ahead of World Cup

3/21/2026

35 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Rugby Football Union is reviewing England's disappointing championship performance, with Steve Borthwick likely to remain England's head coach.
Player feedback will inform the review, focusing on cultural and tactical issues.
England's Under-18s lost to France, illustrating a trend of high-scoring games and stronger competition.
The RFU says the talent pool is strong but performance must improve ahead of the World Cup in 18 months.

History

Historical Context

England's rugby team made history by winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup, defeating Australia 20-17 in Sydney, thanks to Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute drop goal. This victory marked England as the first Northern Hemisphere team to win the tournament, following their previous finals in 1991 and 1995. Today, the Rugby Football Union's review highlights the need for cultural and tactical improvements as England prepares for future competitions.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Rugby Football Union is reviewing England's disappointing championship performance, with Steve Borthwick likely to remain England's head coach.
Player feedback will inform the review, focusing on cultural and tactical issues.
England's Under-18s lost to France, illustrating a trend of high-scoring games and stronger competition.
The RFU says the talent pool is strong but performance must improve ahead of the World Cup in 18 months.

1 / 2