England’s Six Nations campaign has taken a dramatic turn. Just four weeks after a 41-point win over Wales on 7 February 2026, the team faced historic defeats that have left fans and head coach Steve Borthwick frustrated.
On 7 March, England lost to Italy for the first time in 35 years, following defeats by Scotland and Ireland. The team now faces four losses in one championship for the first time in 50 years, with hopes of a clean sweep fading.
“We are all disappointed and frustrated,” said Borthwick after the Italy defeat. “We came to this tournament with high aspirations, but we’ve been unable to meet those targets.”
Defensive Issues
Italy’s match-winning try, scored by Leonardo Marin, highlighted a recurring vulnerability. The try came from a line-break in the 10-metre channel, reflecting England’s ongoing defensive struggles in wide areas, previously exposed by Scotland and Ireland.
Across rounds two to four, England missed 35 tackles leading to breaks or tries, with more than half in wide areas—the highest tally of any team. Borthwick’s tenure has seen England concede over 20 points per game on average, a first in the men’s Six Nations era.
Attack Failings and Unforced Errors
England’s offensive issues have compounded the defensive problems. In 2025, the team scored 25 Six Nations tries, second only to South Africa internationally. However, in 2026, they have struggled to maintain composure in the opposition 22.
In the last three rounds, England made 48 entries into the red zone but scored only two points per visit. The team has committed 14 handling errors in the red zone, including seven turnovers against Scotland, Ireland, and Italy.
Borthwick’s side also failed to earn a bonus point, reflecting a broader problem with maintaining discipline and control under pressure.
