RFU commit to coach Borthwick amid England struggles

Steve Borthwick's boss has given the England coach his backing this week, but says there will be a full examination of the woeful Six Nations campaign after the team's final-round match against France on Saturday.

England have won just won of their four matches in the Six Nations, most recently losing away in Rome to Italy 23-18 last weekend.

"After a 12-match winning run, these past three results [defeats to Scotland, Ireland and Italy] have been hugely disappointing, and we feel that just as much as everyone else," said Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney.

"Steve and his coaching team are working tirelessly to make improvements, and we remain fully committed to supporting them and the players as they face France this weekend and then look ahead to the Nations Championship.

"Part of that support is being open about what hasn't gone right during this Six Nations and making sure everyone has a clear sense of how we move through those challenges together.

"That's something we'll be talking through and working on in the days and weeks ahead.

"We will work together to understand and rectify why we have been unable to meet the expectations and anticipation going into these games.

"England fans rightly expect a team that learns and grows through adversity, and we're confident this group will do everything they can to deliver that."

Borthwick makes one change to the side that faced Italy as Ollie Chessum replaces the injured Tom Curry for the trip to France.