Borthwick risks another backroom reshuffle even if he keeps his job

Steve Borthwick faces another battle to keep hold of Joe El-Abd if he survives a review into England’s worst Six Nations performance in over a quarter of a century.

England’s head coach has been told by Rugby Football Union boss Bill Sweeney that there are no guarantees about his future once the review into the Six Nations debacle, which saw one of the pre-tournament favourites lose four games, concludes at the end of this month.

“Clearly, there are some issues, and we’re getting to them already to see what needs addressing,” said chief executive Sweeney when he was asked about Borthwick’s future.

Borthwick has already seen off one bid from Brive for his former University housemate, El-Abd, 46, who only went full-time with the RFU last summer after job-sharing with Oyonnax after first replacing Felix Jones as defence coach in September 2024.

Brive wanted him to replace Pierre-Henry Broncan, who is taking over the Georgian national team at the end of the season, but he turned them down despite talks following England’s Autumn Nations Series programme.

But now his former club, Toulon, where he had a three-year spell between 2009 and 2012, are keen on speaking to him about joining Pierre Mignoni’s coaching staff on the Côte d’Azur next season.

Mignoni has been looking to bring in a forwards coach since losing Sergio Parisse to the Italian national team, and had been linked with Montpellier head coach Joan Caudullo, who has impressed at the Septeo Stadium but is under contract for another year.

Les Rouge et Noir are looking for a forwards coach to take on the head coach role, and according to Midi Olympique, they are considering a move for El-Abd, who is held in high regard in France following his work with Oyonnax.

But, like Caudullo, the biggest obstacle to securing his services could be that he is under contract with the RFU until after the 2027 World Cup in Australia, and Borthwick is unlikely to want to lose him so close to the tournament if he keeps his job.