Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has been suggested as an option to take the reins of a stumbling England rugby chariot with pressure mounting on Steve Borthwick after the shock loss to Italy over the weekend.
The England coach appears to be on the hot seat after England’s firstdefeat to Italy, the team’s third straight loss in this year’s Six Nations.
England came into the Six Nations as one of the hot teams in world rugby, riding a 12-game winning streak, including victory over Scott Robertson’s All Blacks, before losing 31-20 to Scotland in round two.
That was followed by a 42-21 thrashing to Ireland at Twickenham and then the shock 23-18 loss in Italy which saw England fall to sixth in the world.
England need to beat competition leaders France on Sunday to avoid a fifth-placed finish in the Six Nations - which would be their worst ever finish.
Telegraph rugby writer Daniel Schofield reports Borthwick will remain the coach through the first round of Nations Championship at least with the next four tests determining his future.
They open the Nations Championship against the Springboks at Ellis Park before a fortunate home game against Fiji in Liverpool, avoiding a trip to the Pacific, before facing the Pumas in Argentina.
England do have a relatively easy group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, pitted with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in group F but could face Italy in the round of 16.
Schofield threw a few names in the mix as possible replacements for Borthwick, including Mitchell who coached England’s women’s side to a Rugby World Cup title last year.
England's Head Coach John Mitchell celebrates after the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Photosport
“The single best qualified candidate, Andy Farrell, is under contract until 2027 with the Irish Rugby Union and if he is the RFU’s plan A then who fills the void for 12 months?
“A firefighter like Michael Cheika or Warren Gatland? They would inspire precious little fanfare,” Schofield writes.
“The best domestic candidates would be the Northampton pair of Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty, but they would be a long-term project needing patience and planning, which are in precious short supply.
“Would Ronan O’Gara or Franco Smith, who have previously had conversations with the RFU, fancy a short-term gig, even though they are positioned as the heir apparent with Ireland and Scotland respectively?
“Or they could turn in-house, to attack coach Lee Blackett or the Red Roses head coach John Mitchell, who ticks a lot of boxes. Nearly every option poses as many problems as solutions.”
In January, Mitchell signed a new contract to lead the Red Roses to the next Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029.
England have won 25 matches in a row since Mitchell was appointed in 2023, also clinching two Six Nations Grand Slams.
