It was billed as must‑win. After sobering defeats to Scotland and Ireland, England and head coach Steve Borthwick could ill afford another setback.
England's worst nightmares became reality as Italy recorded a historic 23-18 Six Nations victory at the Stadio Olimpico, beating them for the first time.
England's Six Nations campaign hit a low when they lost for the first time to Italy with a sombre 23-18 score line, yet the squad still have faith in Steve Borthwick.
The 2027 Men's Six Nations will begin with a clash between Ireland and England in Dublin.
Live score, team news, text commentary and analysis as Scotland host France (kick-off 2.10pm) and England travel to Italy (kick-off 4.40pm) in the Six Nations.
Relive the best of the action from Ireland's bonus-point victory over Wales, where Andy Farrell's side claimed a 27-17 win to keep their slim Six Nations hopes alive.
Rome’s modern amphitheatre awaits a wounded England, their Six Nations campaign fraying and Italy sensing a rare chance to rewrite history, while at Murrayfield France can put both hands on a trophy Scotland still harbour hopes of claiming for the first time...
Fin Smith will start for England in the Six Nations against Italy on Saturday amid a major selection overhaul.
England's Ben Earl says certain members of the squad admitted they have not been "pulling their weight" amid a disappointing string of results in the Six Nations.
The Six Nations championship trophy has sustained fire damage and will be replaced for 2027.
England centre Ollie Lawrence appears unlikely to recover from a knee injury in time for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome.
Ireland winger James Lowe will miss the remainder of the Six Nations with a groin injury sustained during last weekend's win over England.
Steve Borthwick downplayed suggestions from Eddie Jones that England were looking too far ahead coming into the Six Nations.
England's dramatic collapse in the Guinness Six Nations has seen their title hopes seemingly ended with two rounds to spare, but how have things gone wrong so quickly?
Will Greenwood insists there is no magic wand to fix England's woes and that Steve Borthwick's side could be drawn into a dark place against Italy after their crushing defeat to Ireland at the weekend.
A largely off-colour France held off the threat of Italy to eventually kick on and seal a 33-8 bonus-point Six Nations win over Italy and remain unbeaten.
Scotland left it late to deny Wales a first Six Nations victory for three years, edging in front with five minutes to play to seal a 26-23 victory in Cardiff.
Known as a coach who never gets too low nor too high in his appraisals post England Rugby Tests, the furthest Steve Borthwick would go at Twickenham after a record 42-21 loss to Ireland was: 'bitterly disappointing.'
A sensational attacking display by Ireland saw them put England to the sword with a 42-21 win at a stunned Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in the third round of the Six Nations.
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