In the high-stakes arena of international rugby union, few things capture attention like a sudden shift in fortunes. England’s performance in the 2026 Guinness Six Nations has delivered exactly that. What began as a confident push for silverware—fueled by a dominant 48-7 opening win over Wales—quickly unraveled into consecutive defeats: 20-31 away to Scotland on 14 February and a record 21-42 home loss to Ireland on 21 February at Allianz Stadium. This sequence ended a 12-match winning run and placed England fourth in the standings, effectively out of title contention early.
Head coach Steve Borthwick rightly called for perspective in the aftermath. “Two weeks ago, after 12 wins on the bounce, people were saying we were the best team in the world, and now we are all sorts of things,” he told BBC Sport. “Neither of these are true.” Yet the downturn is real and pronounced. However, a closer examination reveals five interconnected reasons that explain why England’s bubble burst so emphatically. These insights draw from detailed match analysis, player availability records, and tactical observations, offering a balanced view for fans eager to understand the England rugby performance in 2026.
1. Reconsidering the Strong 2025 Run
England’s 12-match winning streak, spanning much of 2025, undeniably built momentum and expectations. Impressive victories stood out, particularly the November triumph over New Zealand at Twickenham and hard-fought successes on the Argentina tour. Moreover, wins over France and Scotland in the previous Six Nations demonstrated growing cohesion under Borthwick.
Nevertheless, caveats existed from the outset. The All Blacks appeared unusually subdued in that November clash, leading to internal changes for them. Argentina fielded a rotated side during the Tests, and several 2025 victories could easily have gone the other way with minor shifts in fortune or refereeing decisions. Furthermore, the streak followed an early 2025 Six Nations setback, meaning the run masked areas needing refinement.
When the 2026 tournament demanded higher intensity against fully committed opponents, those underlying gaps surfaced. Scotland exploited width effectively, while Ireland attacked with pace and offloads through the middle. Consequently, the inflated expectations from the 2025 England rugby run met a harsher reality, underscoring that sustained success requires continuous evolution rather than resting on past results.
2. Aerial Rivals Catch Up with England
For much of 2025, Steve Borthwick’s emphasis on the aerial contest provided a clear edge. Rule adjustments around escorting chasers opened opportunities, and England capitalized swiftly. They chased kicks aggressively, contested high balls effectively, and regathered or batted down possession to launch attacks from broken field positions.
However, top-level rugby evolves rapidly in an age of advanced analysis. Scotland and Ireland quickly adapted, deploying robust backfield cover with specialized catchers who outjumped or disrupted England’s efforts. In both defeats, opposition players won key aerial duels, and support runners positioned perfectly to capitalize on any spills.
Additionally, when the kick-chase tactic faltered, England struggled to pivot mid-game. They appeared hesitant to switch styles, allowing Scotland to stretch play wide and Ireland to punch through centrally with tempo. This tactical stalemate highlights a broader challenge: maintaining an innovative edge while developing versatile alternatives. For England Six Nations 2026 aspirations, refining these transitions will prove essential.
3. Injuries Clip England’s Wings
Injuries have compounded England’s difficulties, particularly in the back three. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, a dynamic threat both in open play and aerial contests, suffered a hamstring injury just days before the Wales opener. Specialists indicated he would likely miss the remainder of the tournament, depriving the side of a proven finisher.
Similarly, Tom Roebuck—another wing excelling in high-ball situations—returned from a sesamoid fracture in his toe earlier than ideal. His limited preparation contributed to challenges in the Scotland match, where he struggled to impose himself aerially, and ultimately saw him unavailable for Ireland. Henry Arundell, the sole wing to start all three games, brings explosive pace but faced disciplinary issues. His 20-minute red card against Scotland, following two yellows (one for a breakdown offence and another for a high aerial challenge on Kyle Steyn), proved costly as Scotland scored heavily during his absence.
These absences forced reactive selections and reduced depth, limiting attacking variety. While the squad possesses talent, the cumulative impact on wing options has visibly constrained England’s ability to stretch defenses consistently.
England’s 2026 Six Nations Results So Far
| Round | Date | Opponent | Score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Early Feb | Wales | 48-7 | Win |
| 2 | 14 Feb | Scotland | 20-31 | Loss |
| 3 | 21 Feb | Ireland | 21-42 | Loss |
This table illustrates the sharp contrast between the promising start and subsequent struggles.
4. Fatigue Catches Up with Key Players
Several of England’s most reliable forwards appeared below their best against Ireland, pointing to accumulating fatigue. Captain Maro Itoje, celebrating his 100th cap, was withdrawn at the 55-minute mark. He had shouldered an immense workload throughout 2025, including the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, while privately mourning the December 2025 loss of his mother Florence—a deeply personal challenge that disrupted his pre-tournament preparation.
Ellis Genge lacked his customary edge in loose play, and Tom Curry, typically influential on big occasions, remained quieter than usual. Notably, 16 Ireland players also toured with the Lions, yet England’s key men seemed to feel the effects more acutely, both physically and mentally. Tommy Freeman openly discussed how Northampton coaches detected reduced intensity upon his return from Australia and wisely rested him initially.
Furthermore, the condensed 2026 Six Nations schedule—with a shorter break week—intensified demands on players who exceeded workload guidelines in the prior season. This fatigue factor not only diminished individual performances but also affected team cohesion, particularly at the breakdown where Ireland dominated.
5. Coaching Visions Take Time to Embed
Borthwick restructured his coaching team after the 2025 summer, appointing senior assistant Richard Wigglesworth to oversee defence while retaining Lee Blackett as attack coach following strong results in Argentina. Yet stability has remained elusive: Wigglesworth represents the fifth defence coach in under four years, following predecessors like Kevin Sinfield, Felix Jones, Joe El-Abd, and Byron McGuigan.
Although these changes aim to refine philosophy and execution, integrating new ideas—even evolutionary ones—requires time on the training ground and in high-pressure matches. Early signs of progress appeared in 2025, but the Six Nations has exposed areas where alignment between defensive structure and attacking intent still needs tightening. Borthwick’s calm leadership acknowledges this bedding-in process, emphasizing honest reviews to accelerate improvement.
In summary, England’s Six Nations 2026 slide stems from a perfect storm of high expectations meeting adaptive opponents, compounded by injuries, fatigue, and transitional coaching elements. However, the squad retains quality and depth, as evidenced by the Wales rout and moments of brilliance against stronger sides. As Borthwick prepares for the remaining fixtures against Italy and France, focused adjustments in aerial strategy, player management, and tactical flexibility could restore momentum. For supporters of England rugby, the coming weeks offer a compelling test of character and a chance to witness how lessons from this downturn shape future success. With thoughtful evolution, the Red Rose can emerge stronger from this challenging period.
