Steve Borthwick aims to forge links with Premiership to boost England talent

The England head coach, Steve Borthwick, is aiming to develop a new relationship with top-level clubs that he believes will help the team get back on top of the Six Nations and boost their World Cup hopes.

Ireland’s grand slam-clinching victory in Dublin ensured England finished fourth, with previous defeats against Scotland and France adding up to another disappointing return. England finished fifth in the 2021 championship and third last season and there appears to be a widening gap between them and the world’s best teams, despite the Rugby Football Union’s enviable resources.

“We will do a review on Wednesday as a management team,” Borthwick said following the 29-16 defeat at the Aviva Stadium. “We will go through the whole Six Nations and what the key lessons are as a debrief, and then next week I will be communicating with the directors of rugby, head coaches and players.

“Conor O’Shea is working as the [RFU] performance director … Hopefully working together, Conor with the clubs, the RFU with the clubs and PRL [Premiership Rugby], we will be able to develop a system that enables the club game to thrive, and the international team to thrive.”

There has been widespread criticism of the English system and the often problematic relationship between the RFU and the clubs, particularly in comparison with Ireland where the provincial sides are capable of producing a wealth of elite talent. But Borthwick, who had limited time to prepare for the Six Nations after being appointed in December following the dismissal of Eddie Jones, believes things can change for the better.

“That is what we all want, we want a really competitive, vibrant Premiership rugby that produces the best possible players,” Borthwick said.

“That is