​Steve Borthwick says he can feel England fans’ hurt and pain as he faces heightened scrutiny ahead of a pivotal clash with Fiji. His side have lost their previous five matches, a stretch that includes their worst Six Nations campaign and continued with last week’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa. England’s last streak of six straight defeats was in 2006, a period that preceded Andy Robinson’s resignation later that year, and next weekend they travel to Santiago del Estero to take on Argentina. That makes the Fiji game at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium all the more crucial, with a near-capacity crowd expected in Liverpool for England’s rare appearance in the north.
Recalling his first trip as a boy to see England play the All Blacks at Old Trafford, Borthwick embraced the pressure that comes with his role as he looks to see his team improve. “When this team doesn’t perform the way we want it to, we feel the hurt and pain that our supporters feel, and we feel it deeply because we all care so much,” he explained. “I’ve spent a long time in this game—as a player for England, as captain, as assistant coach and now as head coach. I’ve learned how to manage the different facets that come with it.” He added, “People who don’t watch England every week will get the chance to watch us live this Saturday at Everton. Thousands will see England for the first time in person.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Borthwick said, “When I watched England against New Zealand in 1997, I was hooked. I wanted to play for England, and then, when I could no longer play, I wanted to coach England and help this team. You take on that responsibility voluntarily, accept the scrutiny, the pressure, and the expectation because you want to achieve something great.” He acknowledged the inevitable questions that come with the job but said his focus remains fixed on the immediate challenge. “I understand why you ask those questions, because my entire career has been under scrutiny. All I concentrate on is this Saturday. That’s what I did as a player, that’s what I do as a coach—focus on this Saturday and help the team prepare. I hope we can return to our winning ways and deliver a performance that inspires, just like I felt back in 1997.”
For the clash in Liverpool, Borthwick has made three debutants available from the bench: Bristol’s George Kloska and Benhard Janse van Rensburg, along with Saracens’ rising star Noah Caluori. Janse van Rensburg, born in Pretoria, became England-eligible this week after completing a five-year residency, and Borthwick is eager to see him feature. He praised the centre’s commitment and potential impact as part of England’s plans for an improved showing against Fiji.