They say that when you are in a hole, you must stop digging.
I remembered this mantra when I saw Bill Sweeney appear in a podcast and then face the widest media last week. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his comments.
Bill. Stop digging! His last comments left me totally baffled.
Sweeney and the RFU had a disastrous end until 2024 and began at 2025 due to the £ 1.1 million salary that took a year in which the RFU made a loss of almost 40 million and announced 40 layoffs. That is clearly unacceptable in anyone's books. However, the problems are much deeper than the large numbers in the Sweeney bank account.
The Rugby community has correctly turned on the RFU and demanded changes. For many, that will mean Sweeney's resignation.
We are at the cusp of the six nations of this year and with the favorite of the fans Maro Itoje announced as captain of England, the entire approach should be in the field, not outside of it. You would think that Sweeney and the RFU would be happy to let attention fall into another place. But they simply can't help it. Stop digging!
Bill Sweeney (on the right) is trying to distance from chief coach Steve Borthwick
I feel for Borthwick, it's not pleasant when your boss does not go publicly to support you
The only thing more surprising than the appearance of Sweeney's media was what he was saying. He completely removed from the criticism surrounding Steve Borthwick's male male side.
He said he was not responsible for saying goodbye to Eddie Jones as a chief coach and hiring Borthwick in his place. Bill, you are the CEO. If he did not hire Borthwick, the question is who did?
The answer is the same as always. Sweeney confirmed that it is the same old faceless and face panels that make the recommendations. Who are these people?
The RFU speaks of transparency, but clearly has no idea what it means. Until the RFU names the people who make these calls, and they are great calls, I will be in their case.
Are they coaches themselves? If so, what level have they trained and what have they won? What is your Remit? Are they English or come from our rival nations?
That might not seem important in this modern sports era. But if you are not publicly responsible, I think it is vital. A non -English man or a woman who is part of the RFU is no problem. But they must be responsible and transparent.
If these people want to go without name for fear of the abuse of social networks, then all that it does is show why they should not be close to the position first. How can responsibility have the appointment of such high pressure work but hide behind anonymity? It is so typical of the 'professional' culture that the RFU clearly encourages.
The impact that all this has had is that Borthwick is very exposed. Where is the support for him in the RFU? No one will stand up and say: I chose it. And support it.
All the approach and emotion this week should be for the new captain heito (left) and Borthwick
As England coach, you need the board behind you. When I was on paper, it made it quite clear that Fran Cotton and the late cliff had put me in their place and that I informed them. It was the same when Francis Baron took over. I had great support from the RFU.
This is especially important in your first seasons when you are building and learning at work. Even when they hit us 76-0 in Australia on the hell tour in 1998 and hammered us in the 1999 World Cup, I felt that the RFU had my corner. I appreciated and valued that support.
I don't think Borthwick can say that Sweeney has just behind him since the latter has distanced himself from his hiring. It is ridiculous.
It also puts Borthwick under more pressure in the six nations, especially on the back of five victories of 12 in 2024.
Borthwick needs more support because I think he is a good coach and the adequate man for paper. However, Sweeney and her tracksuit should not be close to England's camp. And it certainly should not be jumping in podcasts while the team is trying to prepare for what is a great six nations.
Sweeney also has history in this area. I remember another distraction press conference that held in the middle of a World Cup on players contracts. I cannot understand anyone in the RFU to do that to me and my team in the same situation.
Borthwick, as I have maintained for a long time, should inform an experienced rugby director. There is no one in that role in the RFU. Because? Because Sweeney believes you don't need one. He believes he can do it, advised by nameless panels. Great mistake, Bill! Big!
In a nutshell, Sweeney is not almost qualified to make large rugby decisions. The work of the CEO is to ensure that finance is in order and create a stability platform that can support rugby at all levels, which allows it to flourish. Clearly, attention is very necessary in this area.
England needs to recover after a 2024 disappointing of only five 12 -game victories
Everything is too much, too cozy on Twickenham. Sweeney will survive the bonus scandal. Now, he will pray for England and Borthwick to have a good six nations.
The RFU, now directed by Bill Beaumont as an interim president, should demand a change. Presenting a rugby director is a vital step. Not only will it help Borthwick and the team, but will also help Sweeney. If England's results do not improve in 2025, there will be more heat.
I feel for Borthwick especially in all this because it cannot be good for his boss to distance himself from his appointment.
He and England's team deserve better.