Free extension for sports fans
Advertisement
Advertisement

The six things Steve Borthwick must do to overhaul England and win the World Cup – with one year to go: Get Jack Willis and Shaun Edwards in, crack down on clubs, find midfield muscle… and a new captain?

A year out from the World Cup, the RFU's focus is now on how to maximise their chances of an upset Down Under. This is what Borthwick needs to do to get England firing.

Published: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 1:00 AM
The six things Steve Borthwick must do to overhaul England and win the World Cup – with one year to go: Get Jack Willis and Shaun Edwards in, crack down on clubs, find midfield muscle… and a new captain?
Key Things to Know
  • Nik Simon outlines six essential steps for Steve Borthwick to transform England into World Cup contenders.
  • Simon advocates selecting overseas flanker Jack Willis and hiring Shaun Edwards as a coaching consultant.
  • The writer recommends addressing backline instability, managing club player workload, and reconsidering Maro Itoje's captaincy.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Nik Simon argues that England head coach Steve Borthwick must execute six key changes to contend for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, exactly one year away. Despite suffering their worst-ever Six Nations and sitting fifth in the world rankings, England have received a favorable tournament draw featuring Wales, Tonga, and Zimbabwe in Group F.

Simon suggests Borthwick should bring in Shaun Edwards as a consultant, select France-based flanker Jack Willis, and crack down on Premiership clubs overplaying stars like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Additionally, the writer recommends solidifying a consistent midfield, establishing a clear attacking identity, and considering a new captain to replace Maro Itoje.

Advertisement

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.