Steve Borthwick’s Job on the Line After Historic Italy Loss

ROME (Azat TV) – England’s Rugby Union head coach Steve Borthwick faces an uncertain future following a historic 23-18 defeat to Italy in the Six Nations Championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The landmark loss in Rome marks the first time Italy has ever beaten England, plunging the English campaign into crisis and placing Borthwick’s tenure under severe scrutiny, just weeks after expectations for a title challenge were high.

The match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico saw England squander an 18-10 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining, ultimately succumbing to a resurgent Italian side. This unexpected result has shattered England’s aspirations for the tournament, forcing them to limp to Paris next weekend instead of competing for the championship title, as initially anticipated by Borthwick’s coaching staff and fans.

Historic Defeat Unravels England’s Six Nations Campaign

England’s performance in the 2026 Six Nations has been far from the ‘title tilt’ Steve Borthwick had envisioned. Following a narrow victory over Wales in Round One on February 7, England suffered consecutive defeats against Scotland and Ireland, setting a grim precedent before the historic encounter with Italy. The defeat in Rome, described by Planet Rugby as a “shattering loss,” highlighted England’s recurring issues with converting possession into points and maintaining defensive discipline.

Key moments in the match underscored England’s collapse. Despite early dominance and a try from Tommy Freeman in the 26th minute, Italy responded with a brilliant solo effort from Tommaso Menoncello. England regained momentum just before halftime with a try from Tom Roebuck, taking a 12-10 lead. The English extended their advantage to 18-10 in the second half, benefiting from a yellow card against Italy’s Giacomo Nicotera. However, two subsequent yellow cards for England’s Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje for high tackles and illegal play, respectively, shifted the momentum decisively in Italy’s favor.

Steve Borthwick Under Pressure After Rome Collapse

The dramatic turn of events, particularly England’s inability to capitalize on a numerical advantage and their subsequent implosion, has intensified calls for Steve Borthwick’s removal. His decision to radically rejig the lineup after the Ireland defeat, including a last-minute alteration due to an injury to flanker Tom Curry, did not yield the desired stability. Critics, including BBC Sport, noted England’s ‘painfully familiar problems’ of having plenty of ball but ‘precious little penetration’ and being undercut by ‘a string of errors.’

The pressure on Borthwick is compounded by the fact that England had won 12 matches on the bounce prior to the tournament. The recent run of losses, culminating in this unprecedented defeat to Italy, suggests a significant regression. The coach himself had tipped his squad as title contenders, making the current situation all the more dire for his position within English rugby.

Italy’s Landmark Victory and England’s Ascendant Potential

For Italy, the 23-18 victory was a momentous occasion, marking a significant milestone in their rugby history. Tries from Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin, alongside Paolo Garbisi’s accurate kicking, secured the win. The Italian squad demonstrated ‘burgeoning potential’ and ‘looked quicker witted and more ambitious throughout,’ according to BBC Sport. The final try, orchestrated by Monty Ioane and Menoncello, saw Marin scamper over, igniting delirious celebrations at the Stadio Olimpico as Italy held their composure to seal the historic upset.

The implications of this defeat extend beyond the current Six Nations campaign, potentially reshaping the trajectory of English rugby and intensifying scrutiny on coaching strategies and player performance under Steve Borthwick’s leadership.