George backs Borthwick to lead England at World Cup and takes aim at South Africa

Jamie George said the head coach is ‘the perfect person’ to lead England into the World Cup, adding that the Nations Championship game against the Springboks will be ‘an amazing opportunity’

Jamie George has insisted England can go toe-to-toe with South Africa when they lock horns with the world champions in July and believes his side will be among the favourites for next year’s World Cup if Steve Borthwick remains as head coach.

England are on a disappointing run of four straight defeats but, while Saturday’s 48-46 loss to France condemned them to their worst Six Nations campaign, the manner in which Borthwick’s side performed – scoring seven tries in Paris – has given rise to renewed optimism.

Borthwick remains under scrutiny and he will face the music with the Rugby Football Union conducting a review into the Six Nations, vowing to establish why the wheels fell off for England after they began the championship on the back of 11 straight wins. Last week the RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney took the unprecedented step of offering Borthwick qualified support, promising to “work together to understand and rectify why we have been unable to meet expectations”. It is understood that despite England’s upturn in performance in Paris, the RFU’s position remains the same.

The review is expected to be completed next month with Borthwick able to plot a course to the summer Nations Championship fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina but there remain no guarantees he will be in position beyond then. George, however, struck a bullish tone and is relishing a first away trip to South Africa since 2018.

The best facet of England’s game in this Six Nations has been their scrum – they edged France on Saturday night – and while the set-piece is considered South Africa’s superpower, George believes there is nothing to fear. Asked if England can take it to the Springboks up front, the hooker said: “I think so. Our set-piece is in a great spot. South Africa haven’t played for 10 months. It’s very difficult for us to comment on where they’re at, but they are world-class. They’re the best team in the world. Playing them in Johannesburg is a difficult place to play them. But what an amazing opportunity that we’ve got with a great group of players. And we’re going to be excited about that one. We haven’t played them in a while. I can’t wait. I wish it was next week.”

George also gave Borthwick an endorsement to remain with England despite what promises to be an uncomfortable review process. “Steve is one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked under, under Steve I think we will be right up there with the favourites to win the World Cup in 2027,” added George. “We’re a great team, a great group of players and he’s the perfect person to take us there. He has been unbelievable for English rugby, it’s crazy what has been happening over the last few weeks and he is absolutely the right man to lead us forward for a long time.”

Also offered backing was the 21-year-old flanker Henry Pollock, who enjoyed a busy cameo against France. He was constantly booed whenever his name was read out or he appeared on the big screen and while he made some telling interventions, he threw a costly loose pass to Cadan Murley in the closing stages, seconds after effecting a fine turnover.

Pollock is sure to come in for a warm welcome in South Africa but George said: “It was funny, I was sat next to him when Steve picked the team and he said to me: ‘I can’t wait to get booed by 90,000 people.’ That’s the sort of bloke that he is, he’s a young kid, he’s going to make mistakes but geez he adds a huge amount to this team. It’s almost a sign of respect that they boo him. He’s a character and the game needs characters, if they’re going to boo him I think he’s entitled to give something back as long as it’s respectful.”