England full-back Freddie Steward has defended under-fire head coach Steve Borthwick and said it’s the players who should be blamed for the defeat to South Africa. The Red Roses lost a fifth consecutive Test match as they went down 29-20 at Allianz Stadium, prompting speculation over Borthwick’s position.

England star Freddie Steward believes the players "let down" under pressure head coach Steve Borthwick in Saturday's defeat to the Springboks, and feels he set them out a winning game plan.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has claimed that his players were not fit enough coming into the Autumn Nation Series despite the Rugby Football Union spending £264 million to give him greater control of their conditioning.

England head coach Steve Borthwick is confident he has the backing of the Rugby Football Union despite presiding over a fifth successive defeat after South Africa triumphed 29-20 at Allianz Stadium. Cheslin Kolbe’s 62nd-minute try placed the Springboks in a commanding position and even when replacement prop Gerhard Steenekamp was sent to the sin-bin England could not break through,

England head coach Steve Borthwick must choose whether he will stick or twist this Sunday against Japan. Stick with the same core

In a frustrating month for the England senior side, a 38-17 win for the A team over their Australian counterparts will have offered some positivity. It may also have provided a window into the future,

Small signs of progress have been shown by England this November but Borthwick is under pressure after five consecutive defeats