Mike Tindall gives backing to England's rugby coach despite dismal Six Nations campaign

Lewis Henderson
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:21:43 +0000

Mike Tindall has given his backing to England head coach Steve Borthwick, despite a dismal Six Nations campaign which saw his side lose four of their five games.

In what marked their worst performance since the tournament was expanded in 2000, question marks have been raised about Mr Borthwick's position, with Rugby Football Union boss Bill Sweeney not giving a guarantee about the coach's future.

Despite this, Mr Tindall, 47, has shared his support for his former teammate, telling fans to keep their faith with the "quietly spoken and determined" coach.

"I've known him since he was 16 and he will be working hard to put all the problems right," Mr Tindall told The Rugby Paper.

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The husband of Zara Tindall continued: "I have also spoken with enough players who like the environment they are in.

"I think he will stay until the World Cup and, hopefully, will get us back to the team which won 12 on the bounce.

"But then we lose four in a row and suddenly Steve's the problem. Every team will endure rough spells, and the moment England started losing a few, some people could not wait to jump on the man in charge."

Mr Tindall encouraged supporters to let Mr Borthwick go about his business in the "quiet and determined manner [that is in] his nature".

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England's only victory came in their opening game, where they won 48-7 against Wales, who ended up finishing bottom of the table.

Mr Borthwick's side went on to lose against Scotland, Ireland, Italy, before a resilient performance against France, which still saw them fall short, losing by two points.

England finished fifth in the Six Nations, with France claiming the title from Ireland, who won it in 2025.

Mr Tindall's comments come after he and his wife were absent from the traditional Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by other members of the Royal Family for the service.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were accompanied by their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they joined the royal couple.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were notably absent from today's ceremony, as they have made alternative plans with the King's approval.

Prince Edward and his son James, Earl of Wessex, also joined proceedings, as well as Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.

Peter Phillips arrived with his fiancée, Harriet Sperling, who recently announced they will be getting married on June 6, while Zara and Mike Tindall were not in attendance.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, were also not in attendance.

Prince William could be seen saying "Happy Easter" to the King and Queen, who were driven down to St George's Chapel as other senior members walked down.

Numerous fans were in attendance to get a glimpse of the royals as they made their way to the Easter Matins service.

Well-wishers cheered as Charles and Camilla arrived with shouts of "God save the King" being heard.

One man in the crowd thanked the King for all he "did for the Jewish community" in the UK.