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Steve Borthwick staunchly defends under-fire star amid wave of criticism

By Josh Raisey at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
England players react at the end of their loss in the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in south-west London, on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

England head coach Steve Borthwick has said that it is “all of our responsibility” after his side’s second successive loss in the Guinness Six Nations at the hands of Ireland, deflecting any criticism directed towards his fly-half, George Ford.

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Following a dismal showing in Edinburgh last week against Scotland, the veteran fly-half struggled to get England’s backline firing again as the hosts succumbed to a 42-21 defeat at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

The 32-year-old came under fire following the Calcutta Cup loss in round two of the Championship, not helped by his charged-down drop-goal attempt that resulted in a Scotland try, but failed to guide England back to winning ways on home soil.

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England made 12 entries into the Irish 22, while Andy Farrell’s men only made nine, but the hosts came away with 1.75 points per entry compared to Ireland’s 4.33. Stats like that will often result in criticism being directed towards a team’s playmaker, and this has proven to be no exception.

Borthwick was quizzed on the form of his No.10 after the match, particularly with Fin Smith and Marcus Smith waiting in the wings, but he was quick to highlight the success Ford has had over the past year for England, as it was only a matter of weeks ago that he was being named player of the match in a victory over the All Blacks.

Match Summary

0
Penalty Goals
3
3
Tries
5
3
Conversions
4
0
Drop Goals
0
149
Carries
119
7
Line Breaks
8
24
Turnovers Lost
12
2
Turnovers Won
11

“I think George is doing so much good for England and has done for a long period of time and particularly the last spell,” Borthwick said.

“I think the way George played in the autumn was outstanding, and I think two weeks ago he played really well here against Wales.

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“I know you want to talk about individuals, but the team, it’s all of us today. Like last week, we didn’t find a way to get the result we wanted, but that’s all of our responsibility.

“I think Fin Smith is an excellent player, as is Marcus Smith, and we have some very good players and options in that position and in the 15 position also.”

England captain Maro Itoje was also quick to defend his team-mate in the face of a tidal wave of criticism.

“George is a fantastic player,” he said. “He’s a player I deeply admire. He’s the player who’s delivered for England time and time and time again, and he’s had a huge amount of success in his career, and he will continue to have a huge amount of success in his career with this team and all of the teams he represents.”

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Comments

34 Comments
R
RH 51 days ago

A hard watch. Difficult to pick out any England player who had a good game…or even an average game. Worryingly, I don't see replacements who would make a difference..

P
PB 51 days ago

Hopefully 🤞, Italy and France will do us a favour and put us out of our misery!!

S
SG 51 days ago

I don’t want to jump on the digging out George Ford angle. More the rhetoric at the start of the tournament of him being one of the best in the world along with Finn Russel with no mention of the many other top 10’s.

Then Borthwicks handling of Finn Smith - shocking

Also think Borthwicks sent the team out in the last 2 weeks with ‘if we play our game we win, without a specific plan for the team they’re playing.

Oh and finally, Bevan Rodd who’ scrummaging just doesn’t look up to it at the top level. Media says we’ve got a prop injury crisis but the likes of Afolabi Fasogbon can’t get a look in even after dominating at scrum time week in week out.

All in all it’s on Steve Borthwicks..

P
PMcD 51 days ago

It’s probably time for Steve Borthwick to admit he made a mistake by selecting Ford and bring Fin Smith back before it’s too late.


I thought Steve was finally growing into the role and had moved past this turgid phase but clearly we are back there and have let a golden opportunity slip through our fingers this season.

J
JC 52 days ago

It is very easy to throw Ford under the bus today, but in truth, many stalwarts were terrible. Take your pick from, in particular, Cowan-Dickie, Itoje, Curry, Pollock, Freeman and Steward. While Genge, Chessum, Arundell and Lawrence weren’t much better.


The line out was a mess between Cowan-Dickie and Itoje calling, england were destroyed at the breakdown were Curry was anonymous and he gaps in the midfield were glaring were between freeman and Lawrence ireland had a field day. Balacoune, O’Brien and McCloskey finding gaps with ease.


The only thing that went well was the carrying which they made meters consistently and in the scrum which they largely won (Ireland has had issues here for over 2 years).


Ford had a poor showing and at this stage of his career would be a better bench option to close games out, but Marcus Smith is a utility impact player who at test level is yet to convince and probably never will. So the great saviour is Fin Smith, though he has a safe pair of hands, has he got the x-factor or the test level playmaking ability or to lead a pack? This was a player, coaching and systematic breakdown. The bottom line is they aren’t anywhere near good enough yet, the squad is unbalanced in many positions and they need a plan B.

P
PMcD 50 days ago

Fin Smith led the attack very well last 6 Nations, he should have been straight back in the team after the Lions having led his team to the Investec Final and leading the Premiership this season.


He will move the ball much quicker and create more space for the centres, so you will likely see a drastic change in style from just changing 10 & 15 over the next 2 games.

A
AA 52 days ago

When oh when will people look properly and see that Ford is just not up to it.

He came on to close AB,S and Aus games and we lost both after being in front.

He is all hot air.

Good if we are on top but otherwise no idea

A
AA 52 days ago

One review said Ford was criminally bad. Yet Borthwick supports him after 2 stinkers .

Marcus was taken off v AB,s while leading and playing a blinder . Ford missed his kicks and we lost .

How on earth did Ford stay on the pitch when he was obviously poor.

Borthwick should look at himself and ask is he completely mistaken about fords worth to the team against top teams. He shines when under no pressure but he is useless against top tier .

If he is picked again v Italy then . Something is very wrong .

N
Neil 51 days ago

Not only that, but when Ford is 10 he never gets replaced even when like today he plays poorly.

Surely the correct move was bring Smith on at 10 in his natural position, where he'll get the ball and have a chance to influence the game, not at full back where the game often passes him by.

A poor call by Borthwick….

Another is persisting with Dingwall who was caught out defensively several times and offers little going forward.

J
John Breslin 52 days ago

Maro usually goes missing when the tides is against them.


Fairweather leader

P
PMcD 52 days ago

I think it would have been a much better interview if Borthwick had said it’s my job to select the players, so if I pick them and they don’t perform, blame me, it’s my fault.


Then we could actually make progress and say what are you going to do differently in 2 weeks time as the current performance of this team is inadequate and from this response it suggests Borthers remains in denial.

u
unknown 52 days ago

It’s well documented that players are regularly subjected to drug testing after matches. However, are coaches asked to pee in a bottle after press conferences?? If ever a coach should be whisked away by the anti-doping wallahs from WADA .. it should be Steve Borthwick!!

u
unknown 52 days ago

Ford and Borthwick need to go. Better options available in both cases. Ford was dreadful last week and even worse today. As for Borthwick he hasn’t prepared the team properly and the coaching looks woefully inadequate. Enough is enough, it’s time for a change!

P
PMcD 52 days ago

Sadly I don’t think Bill Sweeney has any intention to fire Borthwick, although a loss to ITA may well test that theory BUT I think Borthers needs to accept his favoured love child (Ford) needs to move on - he’s not the player he thinks he is and is holding this team back as a result.

A
Archie31 52 days ago

Fin smith would replace ford but which coach would replace Borthwick?

u
unknown 52 days ago

Quiet please, as a French I want Ford on the field for the last match xD

E
Eric Elwood 52 days ago

As Scotland struggle against Wales it must be noted how much an emotional effort the match was last week. Doing that two weeks in a row is not possible.

So England were a little down and Ireland were very up. It remains to be seen if England had decided to run the ball more in advance which would have been an error given what Stuart McCloskey did to Ford.

Given the difficulty of going from week 2 to 3 it could be argued that England’s draw was particularly tough. Good test for a later RWC knock out match they failed. This is why SA have almost two full quality teams.

u
unknown 52 days ago

It would be nice if us English fans could see England play with emotion and play with pride in the shirt. Our team are insipid and uninspiring which largely stems from the coaching staff and Borthwick in particular

A
AA 52 days ago

As ever Borthwick head in the sand.

If he can’t see that the England back line is poor and confused he should be asked to leave.

His stubbornness in not accepting his kick and rush has been found out is dreadful .

What one asks is the attack coach doing .

Asleep at the wheel or blindly following orders .

Bad ones at that.

J
John Breslin 52 days ago

It seems he allowed them to believe their own hype.


With every coach post-Woodward, he seems incapable of picking a best 23 despite 10 fully professional club teams to choose from

u
unknown 52 days ago

Retaining Ford means England defend narrowly as there isn’t faith he can hold the defensive line. Both Scotland and Ireland exploited it to great effect. Ford fluffed two kicks to touch in the 22, and butchered at least three good attacking opportunities with poor passing or poor decision-making. He was also caught in possession and his kicking woeful again. Why persevere when we have a young better player in F Smith to come in. Look at the difference in Ireland with Crowley at 10 vs Pendergast. Borthwick being stubborn and protecting his favourite is detrimental to the English game and shows Borthwick should go as well

H
Hammer Head 52 days ago

To be fair no one on the English team played very well. So focusing on Ford is unfair.


But it is time for Borthwicke to make a change at 10. Bring George off the bench.

u
unknown 52 days ago

Borthwick and Ford are about as inspiring as a pair of dirty underpants. England need an overhaul and fast

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