Rome – England’s historic defeat to Italy in the 2026 Six Nations has intensified scrutiny on head coach Steve Borthwick, with the team facing the prospect of their worst finish in the tournament. The 23-18 loss at the Stadio Olimpico on March 7th, a first ever against the Azzurri in 33 international meetings, has prompted questions about England’s tactical approach and overall performance. Borthwick acknowledged the pressure surrounding the team, stating he understands the discussion around his plans given the results.
The defeat marks a third consecutive loss for England in this year’s championship, following setbacks against Scotland, and Ireland. England entered the tournament with aspirations of challenging for the title, but now face a challenging final match against France in Paris, where they risk ending the Six Nations with only one victory – a scenario that would represent a significant low point for the program. The pressure is mounting, but Borthwick insists the focus remains on improving attacking incisiveness.
“I respect there’s lots of discussion around our tactical plans – when you appear at the end point, look at the result and you the number of tries scored, that’s completely understandable,” Borthwick said. “I think it’s more about improving that incisiveness with our attack and getting over the try line rather than necessarily any major overhaul.” He emphasized the importance of players executing the game plan developed in practice, stating, “You have an overview, a structure of ‘this is how we want to approach the different aspects of the game’, and then talk about the players bringing their points of difference.”
Despite the mounting criticism, Borthwick has received a vote of confidence from Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Bill Sweeney, albeit limited to the July tour. Sweeney acknowledged the “hugely disappointing” results but expressed confidence in Borthwick and his staff to “do everything they can to deliver.” Borthwick revealed he maintains regular communication with Sweeney, speaking “at least once or twice a week,” and with Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s director of performance rugby, “pretty much on a daily basis.”
Borthwick, who took on the role in late 2022, highlighted the close working relationship he has fostered with the RFU leadership since his appointment. He stated, “Ever since I started this role back in late 2022, we have always worked highly, very closely together. I think that I’ve always been very clear on the vision of the team, initially going very quickly into that 2023 Rugby World Cup which was just around the corner, and ever since then building through each of these competition windows since.”
Discipline Issues Hamper England’s Performance
The match against Italy was marred by disciplinary issues for England, with both Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje receiving yellow cards, placing the team at a disadvantage. These penalties allowed Italy to capitalize and ultimately secure the historic victory. The Azzurri’s ability to exploit these opportunities underscored a growing concern about England’s discipline under Borthwick. Rugbypass reported on the pivotal role of these sin-bin periods in Italy’s win.
The RFU’s backing of Borthwick comes after a period of 12 consecutive test wins under his leadership, which preceded the current downturn in form. But, the recent struggles have led to criticism of his tactics, particularly the team’s reliance on kicking, and a perceived lack of ambition in attack. The Associated Press noted Borthwick’s denial that he was stifling creativity, attributing the issues to players not fully implementing the game plan in matches.
What’s Next for England?
England’s final Six Nations match against France on Saturday presents a significant challenge. A defeat in Paris would confirm their worst finish in the tournament, intensifying the pressure on Borthwick’s position. The RFU’s commitment to Borthwick currently extends only through the July tour, meaning his future beyond that point remains uncertain. The focus will be on whether England can demonstrate improvement in their final match and offer a glimpse of hope for the future.
The team is clearly disappointed with their performance thus far, and Borthwick acknowledged the frustration shared by both himself and the players. “We are all disappointed and frustrated. We came to this tournament with really high aspirations, as did the players, and we’ve been unable to meet those targets we set for ourselves.”
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of England’s rugby program. The outcome of the match against France, and the subsequent review of the Six Nations campaign, will undoubtedly shape the future of Steve Borthwick’s tenure as head coach.
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