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The RFU recently launched a review into England’s poor Six Nations campaign
Sir Clive Woodward has hit out the RFU’s ‘needless’ performance review into England’s disappointing Six Nations campaign.
The RFU announced it was to conduct a full review into a dismal campaign that even saw the Red Roses dispatched by Italy as they clocked up just one win.
That review was published on Tuesday, with one of the key takeaways being the backing of under-fire head coach Steve Borthwick, who will now look to pick up his side for what looks a daunting tour of South Africa this summer.
However, Woodward claims the review has still left Borthwick in limbo ahead of the tour, and says the whole episode merely underlines the lacklustre decision-making process running through English rugby at the moment.
“The release of the RFU’s findings following their review into England’s poor Six Nations campaign was as predictable as it was disappointing,” he wrote in his MailOnline column.
“In fact, I find the review process itself more disappointing than England’s fifth-place finish. Real leadership would have seen Bill Sweeney, the RFU chief executive, announce that Steve Borthwick was being backed as England head coach immediately after the Six Nations defeat by France in Paris.
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“Sweeney should have made it clear that recent results were not good enough, but there was no need to overreact and the RFU would be supporting Borthwick to lead the team into the 2027 World Cup.”
Woodward was also scathing of those behind the review that were seemingly so reluctant to put their name to the findings, claiming it harmed the credibility of the process.
“I am embarrassed for those people involved in the decision-making who want to remain anonymous,” he continued. “How can we trust a process when those involved aren’t willing to put their name to it?
“Borthwick, his coaches, and the players have taken heaps of stick. Why should they play judge, jury, and possible executioner without any of the same responsibility? How can you call yourself an expert if you are not willing to be accountable?”
All in all, Woodward believes it’s all left England in a weakened position heading into the summer.
“They should have either decided to hire or fire Borthwick within a week of the France game,” he added. “Instead, he’s had to endure weeks of purgatory, not helping him to focus on the task at hand which is simply the next game – South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4.
“The line from the review that pained me the most was ‘Steve has engaged in this process with full openness’. It made him sound like a suspect co-operating with the police! He deserves better than that.”
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