Introduction
England rugby is at one of those rare inflection points where history, expectation, and fresh ideas collide. After a tricky run of results in 2024, the men’s national team has been reshaped under Steve Borthwick’s steady hand, new leadership on and off the pitch is settling in, and the wider English game—club, academy and the Red Roses—is generating reasons for cautious optimism. This article looks at where England are now, what’s changed, and where they’re likely heading over the next two years.
Coaching and structure: method over fireworks
Borthwick’s appointment in late 2022 started as a defensive-first reset and has evolved into a broader structural rebuild. Rather than big tactical revolutions, England’s approach under him has been to shore up fundamentals—set-piece accuracy, defensive line integrity and a clearer selection pathway from Premiership clubs to the Test side. That continuity matters; the RFU has backed Borthwick with resources and assistants designed to offer both club-level insight and international calm.
In 2025 there have been further tweaks to that backroom setup: experienced Premiership coaches have been added to sharpen England’s attacking edge and freshen ideas for the autumn internationals. Those changes suggest the staff want iterative improvement rather than wholesale disruption.
Leadership: a new look on the field
One of the clearest markers of England’s recent reset is the change of captaincy. Maro Itoje was appointed captain for the 2025 Six Nations, a signal that Borthwick is placing leadership emphasis on a player whose influence extends beyond the tryline—on defense, lineout, and general on-field tempo. Itoje’s presence alters England’s identity: they’re no longer simply a power side but a unit built around athletic leaders who think and act quickly in chaotic phases.
That shift hasn’t been without fallout. Jamie George, who had worn the armband through 2024 and reached the 100-cap milestone in the 2025 Six Nations, openly admitted how difficult losing the captaincy was for him. The management’s bet is that Itoje’s sustained influence will steady the team as they chase consistency.
Form and results: flashes of dominance
England’s results in the 2025 Six Nations included a statement performance in Cardiff, a 68–14 win over Wales that exposed defensive frailties in an opponent while showing England’s potent attacking options when everything clicked. That match underlined two themes: when England are precise they are devastating; when they’re sloppy the margins narrow quickly. The challenge for Borthwick is to make the former state standard rather than the exception.
Players to watch
The squad mixes established internationals with emerging Premiership talent. Experienced forwards still set the tone in tight exchanges, while younger backs are being trusted with ball-in-hand responsibilities earlier than in previous cycles. That willingness to blood talent—paired with veteran mentors—creates a healthier long-term pipeline for Test selection and provides Borthwick options as injuries and form cycles occur.
The Red Roses and the health of the women’s game
England’s women’s programme remains a global benchmark. In 2025 the Red Roses made headlines with a powerful semi-final showing at the Women’s Rugby World Cup—Ellie Kildunne’s individual brilliance and an experienced core helped the team reach the final, reinforcing the depth and coaching stability inside the women’s set-up. The Red Roses’ success is meaningful for the whole game in England: it sustains spectator interest, goodwill, and investment at grassroots levels.
Club rugby and the pathway
The relationship between club rugby (the Premiership) and the national side matters more than ever. England’s recent call-ups show selectors leaning on domestic form—players performing week to week in the Premiership get rewarded quickly. This dynamic pushes clubs to develop multifaceted players and encourages young prospects that strong domestic displays will be noticed. On the flip side, it raises ongoing questions about fixture congestion and player welfare—issues that will need constant management if international ambitions are to be sustainable.
Where England go next
Short term, results will be judged in autumn test series and any summer tours; the next big markers are building squad depth, maintaining player welfare, and refining attacking structure so England turn potential into points under pressure. Medium term, the aim is clear: be a team that can deliver under tournament intensity and challenge for major trophies again.
Two practical priorities stand out. First, convert moments of attacking fluency into a reliable, repeatable pattern so that England don’t rely on isolated brilliance. Second, manage workloads across club and country to reduce avoidable injuries and keep core leaders available when fixtures matter most.
Conclusion
England rugby in 2025 is a work in progress—but it’s a progress with direction. The coaching shape, new captaincy, and results like the Six Nations big win are pieces of a larger puzzle. Add a world-class women’s side and a healthy flow from club to country, and the picture is optimistic. The next step is consistency: if Borthwick, his staff, and the players can string together 80 minutes of that sharper, smarter rugby regularly, England will move from being promising to being genuinely feared again.
