Itoje rallies behind Borthwick after toxic environment report overshadows record England win

Maro Itoje moved to publicly back Steve Borthwick on Saturday after a report alleging a toxic environment under the England head coach threatened to overshadow a record 45-22 victory over Australia in round four of the Nations Championship at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

The win — England’s biggest ever over Australia — was their best performance of 2026, yet Borthwick faced immediate questions about the report in his post-match media duties. The head coach declined to engage with the specifics, saying he was “clearly not going to respond to that,” but revealed that several former England coaches had reached out in recent days with words of support.

“It’s not an environment I recognise, not an accurate reflection,” Borthwick said. “In the last couple of days a number of my predecessors reached out and contacted me. They’re always supportive — I won’t name who they are — but the basic gist of it is, ‘Been there, got the t-shirt, focus on the rugby,’ and that’s it. As England head coach, you get that t-shirt. We just focus on the rugby, and that’s what I’ve done this week.”

Itoje, captaining the side, was quick to interject in defence of his coach. The lock has worked with Borthwick since 2016 and said the report bore no resemblance to the environment he has experienced.

“I think, particularly from a player’s point of view, we have full support for Steve,” Itoje said. “I’ve had the privilege of Steve being my coach from 2016, with a little gap in his Leicester years, and that’s not the man I recognise. The article doesn’t represent the environment I recognise, and I think if you speak to players over his coaching career, they will say a different story.”

Itoje also acknowledged that poor on-field performances had contributed to external pressure on Borthwick, pointing to England’s dismal Six Nations campaign earlier in 2026 — their worst-ever finish in the tournament — as a period where the players had not delivered.

“There have been times where we haven’t quite done that, which has put a bit of pressure on him,” Itoje said. “I’m delighted that today we’re able to get the win. He’s a world-class coach, and we’re lucky to have him.”

England still have significant ground to make up with supporters after that Six Nations collapse, but the comprehensive dismantling of Australia offers a more encouraging foundation. A meeting with New Zealand in two weeks provides Borthwick’s squad with an opportunity to further silence doubters — and, for now at least, the captain’s backing gives the head coach a clear show of dressing-room unity.