England fell to a 27-22 defeat against Ireland in their opening match of the Six Nations, despite a promising first half in which they led 10-5 at the break. However, a dominant third quarter from Ireland saw them pull ahead to 27-10 before England’s late fightback secured a losing bonus point. Head coach Steve Borthwick pointed to inexperience as a decisive factor but remained optimistic about his team’s progress.
“Ireland are a world-class team who have been at the top for a long time,” Borthwick said. “That experience showed in the third quarter. Tactically, they played really well, and that allowed them to build scoreboard pressure that we couldn’t claw back.”
This latest loss means England have now been defeated in seven of their last nine Tests, with a tough challenge against an in-form France at Twickenham looming. Borthwick emphasized the contrast in experience between the two teams, noting that Ireland’s bench had almost as many international caps as England’s entire 23-man squad.
“If you look at today’s game, you see two different teams one that has been together for a long time and another that has been together for just six months,” he said. “Ultimately, we came up short, and I’m disappointed because I thought we could come here and win. But you certainly saw belief in the players that they could win. We’ll ensure we’re a better team next week.”
Despite the result, Borthwick insisted that his team is heading in the right direction. “I’m proud of how the players attacked the game in the first half and came back in the final quarter to earn a bonus point. We’re developing how we want to move the ball and attack. The team works exceptionally hard for each other and wants to play aggressively. We took a step forward in that attack, and the defence has improved as well.”
Captain Maro Itoje shared his coach’s belief that there were positives to take from the performance. “There were large parts of our game where we took a step forward. The energy on the field, the vibrancy in our attack, the way the guys were finding and flooding through holes—it was admirable. But, of course, there are things we need to improve.”
For Ireland, the victory represents a strong start to their title defence. Their powerful display in the second half demonstrated the depth and cohesion that has made them one of the world’s top teams. Captain Caelan Doris acknowledged the importance of starting the tournament with a win.
“Momentum is huge in this competition. You can’t win it in the first round, but you can lose it or dampen your chances quite a bit. I think we showed what we are capable of at times.”
The match highlighted familiar issues for England, particularly in their ability to sustain intensity across the full 80 minutes. While their first-half performance was encouraging, the second half exposed the gap in experience and composure between the two teams. Ireland capitalized on England’s mistakes and controlled possession effectively, piling on the pressure in the crucial third quarter.
One of the key concerns for England remains their inability to impose themselves off the bench, an area where Ireland had a clear advantage. The introduction of fresh legs in the second half gave Ireland the edge, while England struggled to maintain their intensity.
However, England’s late rally, which secured a valuable bonus point, suggested that the squad is developing a stronger attacking identity. The team showed greater ambition with the ball, and there were glimpses of the aggressive, fast-paced style that Borthwick is trying to instill.
With France up next, England must find a way to build on the positives while addressing their shortcomings. Their upcoming opponents are in excellent form and will pose a stern test at Twickenham. If England are to avoid another setback, they will need to show more resilience and composure under pressure, particularly in the crucial moments of the match.
While the result was disappointing, the performance suggested that England are moving in the right direction. Borthwick and his players will now focus on making the necessary improvements before facing France, knowing that another tough challenge awaits.
