Steve Borthwick sack criteria as England boss told what score he needs against France

England head coach Steve Borthwick is under serious pressure ahead of his side’s Six Nations clash against France

Former England fly half Andy Goode has urged the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to bite the bullet and sack under pressure head coach Steve Borthwick.

England travel to Paris to face France for their final 2026 Six Nations game on Saturday. A defeat would not only condemn them to a fifth-place finish – matching their worst ever result in the competition – but would also mark the first time England have lost four matches in a single Six Nations campaign.

Defeats to Scotland, Ireland and a shock, first-time loss to Italy have left the Red Rose in turmoil, leaving Borthwick, who has been in charge since 2022, clinging to his job.

With just 19 months remaining before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Goode believes England should cut their losses and move in a different direction. However, the 45-year-old suspects the RFU may hesitate to act if England lose by less than 10 points in the French capital.

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“Look, if we beat France, he stays in a job, right? And if the defeat is anything less than 10 you could probably see the RFU being risk-averse and keeping him there,” Goode said. “But, 100 per cent, I don’t think he’s the right man.

“A massive change needs to come,” he added. “If we lose [against France] it’s our worst ever Six Nations and the questions get bigger and bigger around what’s the best thing to do with Steve.

“I just don’t think he’s the right man for the job. We’re at our lowest ebb… It [England’s playing style under Borthwick] is so out of touch, in my opinion, from where the game’s moved to. You saw the Scotland-France game a week ago, you see how South Africa play.

“Steve’s a man that coaches by data, by stats and numbers. These players put on an English shirt and, with some of them, it’s like they’re in a strait jacket.”

When asked who he believes should replace Borthwick, Goode didn’t hesitate, pointing to former Leicester Tigers and Australia head coach Michael Cheika. “England should go after Cheika,” he said. “Look at the man and his experience. He knows the Premiership. He knows a lot of these players.

“I think he would love nothing more than going to Australia next year to try and win a World Cup, perhaps with Ronan O’Gara as one of his coaches.

“People will say, ‘there’s only 19 months to go to the World Cup’, and that is true. But let’s not forget Steve got the job in December 2022, 10 months before the last one. Rassie [Erasmus] got the job with South Africa 18 months out from the 2019 World Cup, which they won. So it’s happened before. it is possible.”

England’s form under Borthwick has fluctuated significantly. In 2025, they put together a run of 12 consecutive victories, beating New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Scotland and France during that streak.

However, the run came to an end against Scotland last month, and England are now on a three-game losing streak. In order to avoid extending that run to four games, England must win in Paris for the first time since 2016.

Their problems extend beyond results. Tries have dried up, the defence has faltered, and discipline has deteriorated – leaving England just one yellow card away from equalling the Six Nations record.

Last week the RFU announced they were “fully committed” to Borthwick, though it’s been reported the 46-year-old has just four matches to save his job: Saturday’s clash with France, followed by three fixtures in the Summer Nations Championship in July.

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