Online Reporter
Even when they won 11 of 12 matches in 2025, England were ranked second-bottom of rugby’s tier-one nations for the number of points they scored each time they entered the opposition 22. Their average of 2.72 was above only Argentina.
The victories Steve Borthwick and his players achieved papered over those cracks, but the theme has continued in this Six Nations and there is now no hiding place.
Failing to turn pressure into points has been a big failing for England in this championship, among many.
England have the second highest number of opposition 22 entries in the tournament with 48, but the second worst points per entry rate. They average just two per visit.
That’s not good enough. Even though scoring rates have increased in rugby, in the international game it is still incredibly hard to get the board moving.
To have success, you simply have to take your chances when they come. After three straight defeats by Scotland, Ireland and Italy, Borthwick and his players are copping it from all angles. There are a multitude of issues England need to fix going into France on Saturday.
England don’t score many tries when they start possession in the 22. This is a major problem.
A lot of people have been left scratching their heads as to how England’s fortunes have changed so quickly.
What’s interesting is that in my opinion, there was a slight improvement in the deception of England’s attack against Italy.
Tommy Freeman’s try saw England move the point of attack, switch play from side to side and have their forwards at the line playing tip-on passes. For Tom Roebuck’s score, Fin Smith also changed direction in an instant with a clever cross-kick.
But there haven’t been enough of these moments. England’s game plan involves a lot of kicking and the messaging from their training camp in Italy this week has been to double down on that. Their attack is all brute force. They use the sledgehammer rather than the scalpel.
In this Six Nations, England have made a lot of uncharacteristic errors in the 22 with top-end, highly experienced players making basic mistakes. – Daily Mail UK
