England: Planning for Six Nations has already begun, says Steve Borthwick

Steve Borthwick says he started planning for the Six Nations the moment England sealed third place at the Rugby World Cup.

England held on for a 26-23 win over Argentina in Paris to claim the bronze medal at the World Cup.

England will now go through an official review process in two weeks’ time, then press on for next year’s Six Nations.

Head coach Borthwick conceded he turned his attention to the Six Nations without delay, and will now compile all his copious notes from the World Cup.

“I've already started looking forward to the Six Nations, that’s already started in my mind and my planning, the very early stages,” said Borthwick.

“The review is obviously an ongoing review I do after each week. I make notes as we go the whole time.

“I'll compile that in the next two weeks and then I’ll meet with the coaching team in two weeks’ time.

“They’ll be doing a review independently, we’ll bring it together and then I’ll meet the whole management team and do a review. That’s how the process will work.”

England had to cling on at the death as Argentina roared back, with George Ford making a crucial try-saving tackle on Mateo Carreras.

Nicolas Sanchez missed a penalty six minutes from time that could have levelled the scores.

Owen Farrell slotted 16 points from the boot, with Ben Earl and Theo Dan crossing for tries.

Dan missed a tackle to let Santiago Carreras run in for a try, but then charged down the Pumas fly-half to score himself just two minutes later.

Borthwick hailed England for turning their 30-22 maiden Twickenham loss to Fiji into a World Cup semi-final, and what proved an agonising 16-15 defeat by South Africa.

“I’m delighted for the players to get the win after they have worked so far,” said Borthwick.

“We won six games out of seven and lost one game by one point to the current world champions and current world number-one team, which shows our progress.

“It shows the team has built during the tournament. Ultimately we’re delighted to get the result, we’re delighted they found a way to win.”