Borthwick is leading an international team for the first time, having previously held coaching roles with England and Japan before guiding Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title in 2022.

Attack coach Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield, who began as defensive lead before moving into a skills role, joined Borthwick from the Tigers backroom.

Defence coach Joe El-Abd is also working in his first international job, combining the role alongside his responsibilities with second-tier French side Oyonnax until the end of the season, while 33-year-old scrum coach Tom Harrison is younger than hooker Jamie George, who will win his 100th cap against Italy on Sunday.

Asked whether it was easy to ignore noise from outside England's camp, Itoje said: "It's a requirement.

"We play a public sport, in front of 80,000 at Allianz Stadium and millions at home every time we pull on an England jersey.

"We want people to be engaged with rugby and have an opinion because if they don't, it probably means they don't care but as players, what we need to do is focus on what we deem important. That is the skill of anybody who lives a relatively public life.

"People will have an opinion on what you do but what really matters is the opinion you have and the opinion of those in your circles."

Itoje's backing of the coaching staff was echoed by utility back Elliot Daly, who has been rewarded for his impressive form off the bench with a starting berth at full-back against the Azzurri.

Responding to Carling's comments, Daly told BBC Sport: "I don't think that is true.

"The coaches have been around this environment for a while, especially Wiggy, Steve and Kev. As a group, they work really well together.

"The relationship the players have with the coaching staff is a really good one."