MARO NO!

Itoje says boss does not deserve Borth barrels

- ADAM HATHAWAY

MARO ITOJE was first to man the barricades as England players leapt to the defence of under-fire head coach Steve Borthwick on Saturday night.

The lock and vice-captain was part of the loss to world champions South Africa which made it five in a row and three on the spin at Twickenham.

The RFU backed Borthwick last week and the man himself declared his bosses supported him in the wake of yet another near miss, but patience among fans is wearing thin.

In 2006, three home defeats paved the way for Andy Robinson's exit and in 2018 Eddie Jones was only spared the sack after five straight losses by a Jonny May try beating the Springboks.

In all five losses three to the All Blacks, one to Australia and the Boks - England have faded fast in the last quarter, with skipper Jamie George off the pitch, failing to put teams away.

For three consecutive weeks they have lacked leadership on the pitch in the final 20 minutes and have gone into their shells almost as if they are scared of winning.