Borthwick wants to dominate Six Nations

ENGLAND boss Steve Borthwick has vowed to put his side back on the Six Nations map and leave thoughts of the next World Cup on the back burner for now.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

Borthwick, set to name his squad on January 17 ahead of the opener in Rome on February 3, is determined to improve England's dismal record in the tournament after his predecessor Eddie Jones prioritised France 2023 over the tournament.

Jones was sacked in December 2022 after an autumn shocker and finishes of fifth and third in the previous two Six Nations, winning four out of 10, leaving Borthwick to pick up the pieces.

The former second row guided England to third place at the World Cup but now has only eyes for the Six Nations in welcome news for fans.

He was around the squad in 2003, although not in the matchday 22, when England won the Grand Slam in Dublin under Clive Woodward, and was an assistant coach to Jones the only time they have landed a clean sweep since, in 2016.

And the 44-year-old is eyeing up a long overdue repeat in the tournament which includes French and Irish sides licking their World Cup wounds.

"This is a special tournament," said Borthwick. "England in the last six years in the Six Nations have won 50 per cent of their games. In four of those six years, England only won two games in the Six Nations. What England have done in recent Six Nations hasn't been good enough.