The 2026 Six Nations has been a humbling experience for England, with two crushing defeats dashing any hopes of a championship title. But what's behind this sudden downturn in form? It's not rocket science: England's points tally is meager, and their defense is leaking like a sieve.
The once-reliable aerial game has gone awry, and players who were previously precise and composed during their 12-match winning streak are now making uncharacteristic errors in decision-making, discipline, and skill execution. It's a far cry from their recent success.
Head coach Steve Borthwick, basking in the unseasonable February sun at the Bagshot training base, addressed these concerns with a mix of reflection and determination. He identified three key areas where Ireland exposed England in their record 42-21 loss in London: squandering chances in the opposition's 22, giving away turnover ball, and a surprising lack of physical intensity.
Borthwick lamented, "We had so many opportunities to score in the opening 20 minutes, but Test match rugby is unforgiving if you don't capitalize." He continued, "Turning over possession created unstructured attacks for Ireland, making it incredibly difficult to defend. We left ourselves exposed." The coach emphasized the team's trademark intensity was missing, a crucial factor in their downfall.
This triple threat of issues is interconnected. Failing to capitalize on chances led to a snowball effect, with England quickly falling behind. Physically, they were sluggish, both in thought and action.
But how do you fix a problem like this? Expectations were high after the Calcutta Cup defeat, but England's performance against Ireland fell flat. Borthwick is determined to turn things around, vowing to intensify training and sharpen the team's attacking prowess in opposition territory.
He acknowledged the need for clinical finishing, attributing it to a blend of physicality in the collision area and composure in making key decisions. Borthwick plans to put players in these situations frequently to ensure improvement.
But here's where it gets controversial: Has complacency crept in? Former coach Eddie Jones suggests Borthwick's pre-tournament title ambitions may have distracted the team, but the current coach refutes this. He maintains their focus has been on taking each game as it comes.
Borthwick is considering changes for the upcoming match against Italy, with a scrum-half replacement necessary due to Alex Mitchell's injury. The return of George Furbank to Northampton could provide a creative spark in the full-back position, addressing England's blunt attack.
A bold statement: Few players who started in Edinburgh and Twickenham have secured their spots. Borthwick, typically cautious with changes, may wield the axe. Every squad member is now under scrutiny, both in training and beyond.
Borthwick has drawn inspiration from the 2003 World Cup-winning team, who faced setbacks and tough losses but performed under immense pressure. The pressure is mounting on the 2026 squad, who have never lost to Italy in the Championship's history.
Borthwick acknowledges the high expectations on England, emphasizing their internal standards are even higher. He admits their recent performances haven't met these expectations and vows to improve. But is his job on the line? Not yet, as it's too early for such talk. However, two more losses could spark serious discussions at Twickenham.
A thought-provoking question: Could the England players rally around their coach, as Scotland did for Gregor Townsend? The coming weeks will be telling.
