ENGLAND RUGBY STARS rallied behind Steve Borthwick on Friday after reports his squad demanded clear-the-air talks in protest about a “toxic environment”.
Borthwick, England’s head coach for the past four years, clashed with his players in the build-up to the final match of England’s July tour against Argentina, according to a London Times newspaper article.
It is alleged players objected to the way Borthwick’s treated them, that he was involved in a training ground bust-up with prop Ellis Genge and that the squad wanted Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney to hear their complaints.
A virtual meeting took place after the tour and earlier this week Sweeney unequivocally backed Borthwick to lead England at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Borthwick, a former England captain, said Friday of the report: “I don’t recognise it as being an accurate reflection of relationships between me and the players, between the coaches and players.”
England begin the November phase of the Nations Championship against Australia at Twickenham on Sunday.
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England’s veteran hooker Jamie George said the team had complete faith in Borthwick, despite losing five of their eight Tests in 2026.
“This is galvanising, 100 per cent,” said George, who was captain for the July tour.
“We are incredibly tight and when someone comes at one of our own, we are going to fight to protect them.
“Leading into the weekend, we cannot wait to represent Steve in the most positive way because we’re going to show how much we care about him.
“He’s one of our own. He’s someone we respect massively. He’s someone that as I said has our backing wholeheartedly.”
George added: “The mood in camp in July was good on the whole. There are always going to be disagreements –- in life, in rugby, in professional sport. There are always going to be heated moments.
“But ultimately we all knew that everyone has the best interests of the team at heart. It wasn’t a straightforward journey for us in the summer, that’s for sure.
“But equally for it to be said that there was a toxic environment and a negative environment – that’s just not true, hand on heart.”
Maro Itoje, a Saracens teammate of George, was rested from the summer tour but will return to lead England against the Wallabies.
Itoje also gave his backing to Borthwick, saying: “I’m a little bit shocked because it’s not what I recognise. I can wholeheartedly say Steve has not lost the faith of us players.
“We back him 100 percent alongside all the other coaches.”
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England players rally to Steve Borthwick's defence after reports of unrest
ENGLAND RUGBY STARS rallied behind Steve Borthwick on Friday after reports his squad demanded clear-the-air talks in protest about a “toxic environment”.
Borthwick, England’s head coach for the past four years, clashed with his players in the build-up to the final match of England’s July tour against Argentina, according to a London Times newspaper article.
It is alleged players objected to the way Borthwick’s treated them, that he was involved in a training ground bust-up with prop Ellis Genge and that the squad wanted Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney to hear their complaints.
A virtual meeting took place after the tour and earlier this week Sweeney unequivocally backed Borthwick to lead England at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
England begin the November phase of the Nations Championship against Australia at Twickenham on Sunday.
England’s veteran hooker Jamie George said the team had complete faith in Borthwick, despite losing five of their eight Tests in 2026.
“This is galvanising, 100 per cent,” said George, who was captain for the July tour.
“Leading into the weekend, we cannot wait to represent Steve in the most positive way because we’re going to show how much we care about him.
“He’s one of our own. He’s someone we respect massively. He’s someone that as I said has our backing wholeheartedly.”
George added: “The mood in camp in July was good on the whole. There are always going to be disagreements –- in life, in rugby, in professional sport. There are always going to be heated moments.
“But ultimately we all knew that everyone has the best interests of the team at heart. It wasn’t a straightforward journey for us in the summer, that’s for sure.
“But equally for it to be said that there was a toxic environment and a negative environment – that’s just not true, hand on heart.”
Maro Itoje, a Saracens teammate of George, was rested from the summer tour but will return to lead England against the Wallabies.
Itoje also gave his backing to Borthwick, saying: “I’m a little bit shocked because it’s not what I recognise. I can wholeheartedly say Steve has not lost the faith of us players.
“We back him 100 percent alongside all the other coaches.”
– © AFP 2026
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