Dan Cole Backs Steve Borthwick As Test Rugby Swings Back

Steve Borthwick was panned for England’s lack of attack. Now England attack, and Dan Cole has noticed the irony.

“As Steve’s biggest defender, it’s ironic that basically it’s sort of like he got panned for no attack and now there’s loads of attack and there’s a fear that it’s gone too far.”

Cole has reason to defend him. Borthwick was his head coach when Leicester beat Saracens 15-12 in the 2022 Premiership final. After taking the England job in December 2022, he brought Cole back into the squad.

Cole said it on For The Love Of Rugby, after his guest Steven Kitshoff said Borthwick was “getting a lot of slack” over England’s attack.

England finished fifth in this year’s Six Nations and the RFU kept Borthwick on. Is Cole right that Test rugby is coming back his way? Have your say in the comments.

Cole’s case: Test rugby goes in cycles

Cole built his argument on the Springboks. In the year after the 2023 World Cup, he said, they brought in Tony Brown and started moving the ball. Cole said he had not seen Springboks sides play like that before.

Then they played England in July and were, in Cole’s words, “almost pragmatic”. He put the approach in the Springboks’ own voice.

“We kick the ball… we’re going to beat you up, our set piece is going to win games and attack’s the sort of added bonus.”

That was the 45-21 at Ellis Park on Saturday 4 July. South Africa scored seven tries, and England finished with 13 men after Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper were sin-binned within two minutes of each other.

“I think the game is coming back that way and England have always sort of played that way,” Cole said, “but now England are trying to adjust because of the Six Nations, and Ireland and Scotland have been good.”

READ ALSO: In 14 of 15 Six Nations games, the side that kicked further won

Cole gets the same stick himself

“I get panned because I’m, you know, seen as stuck in the mud, old school player.”

So he asked for it.

“Yeah, get in the comments and hammer me. That’s normally what happens for being stuck in the mud.”

November will test the argument

England’s next chance to prove Cole right comes against Australia at Allianz Stadium on Sunday 8 November. Japan follow on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November.

Borthwick’s position looks secure for the World Cup. Sky Sports has reported that the RFU is set to extend his contract beyond the 2028 Six Nations.

If England kick more and beat the All Blacks, Cole gets his told-you-so.

Was Borthwick right all along, or has England’s attack arrived just as the game moves the other way? Tell us below.

Read next

• Ben Youngs says England are not in the conversation to win a World Cup
• Dan Biggar and Jim Hamilton on Andy Farrell as England head coach
• How to beat the Springboks: the one door Ashley-Cooper found

Dan Cole on Steve Borthwick: the quick answers

Did Dan Cole play under Steve Borthwick?

Yes. Borthwick was Leicester head coach when they beat Saracens 15-12 in the 2022 Premiership final with Cole in the side, and he recalled Cole to England after becoming head coach in December 2022.

What did Dan Cole say about Steve Borthwick?

Cole called himself “Steve’s biggest defender” and said it was ironic that Borthwick was panned for England’s lack of attack and now faces a fear that the attack has gone too far.

When do England play next?

England play Australia on Sunday 8 November 2026 at Allianz Stadium, then Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November, in the Nations Championship.