Andy Goode Demands Urgent Coaching Overhaul as England Faces Historic Six Nations Low Under Steve Borthwick

Former England star Andy Goode urges the RFU to "throw the chequebook" at Michael Cheika as Steve Borthwick's side faces a historic Six Nations low.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 8:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetRugby

A Call for Drastic Leadership Change

The Rugby Football Union is facing mounting pressure to "grasp the nettle" and implement a radical coaching change as England’s Six Nations campaign teeters on the brink of a historic failure. Former international fly-half Andy Goode has publicly called for the dismissal of Steve Borthwick, suggesting that the governing body should "throw the chequebook" at former Wallabies boss Michael Cheika. With the Rugby World Cup looming only nineteen months away, Goode contends that continuing with the current regime is a strategic error, especially as the team’s recent performances have seen a total collapse of the momentum built during their previous twelve-game winning streak.

The Statistical Weight of a Failing Campaign

The numbers surrounding Borthwick’s tenure paint a stark picture of a side in decline, despite a semi-final appearance in the 2023 World Cup. Under his leadership, England has conceded an average of more than 20 points per game, making Borthwick the only coach in the Six Nations era to hold such a defensive record. His overall win ratio currently sits at a modest 59 percent, a figure that Goode argues is insufficient for a Tier 1 nation with England's resources. The "implosion" over the last month, highlighted by successive losses to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy, has left the Red Rose facing the possibility of their first-ever four-loss campaign in a single tournament.

Stifled Creativity and the Data Trap

According to Goode, the primary issue lies in a coaching philosophy that prioritizes data and statistics over the fluid, creative nature of modern international rugby. The pundit suggests that Borthwick’s reliance on numbers has placed the players in a metaphorical "strait jacket," preventing them from playing with the flair seen in rival nations like South Africa or France. This rigid approach has resulted in an attack described as being as effective as a "chocolate hammer," with tries drying up and composure disintegrating on both sides of the ball. Critics argue that the game has moved past Borthwick’s conservative tactical framework, leaving England out of touch with global trends.