Italy not quite with the smarts yet. Several opportunities to play for the scrum which would take up a couple of minutes and don't take it.
2026 6N
Match thread
Italy v England
Olimpico will be a fucking brilliant place to be right now. Outside the stadium will be an experience.
Just imagine if England named a front row instead of a back row and vice versa. They might not lose to the perennial wooden spooners.
Anyway, long live Borthwick.
Crumbs, this is quite the result isn’t it ?
Great to see the pillock Pollock on the losing side again.
Well done Italy.
Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let this England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.
@Jet said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let his England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.
If only someone had pointed out that razor was just lucky his opposition were coached by Borthwick in his first series in charge.
@Bones said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
@Jet said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let his England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.
If only someone had pointed out that razor was just lucky his opposition were coached by Borthwick in his first series in charge.
And we went fucking life and death with them. Barely beat them.
And were a George ford missed pen (off the post) and drop goal away from losing the year before in Twickers.
The warning signs regarding Razor were there from day 1.
@Tim said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
@Bones said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Anyway, long live Borthwick.
When does he get the sack?
Hopefully he keeps getting a saviour result every so often.
@kidcalder said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Italy 12 Menoncello is a big strong fast handful
He's world class, as is Garbisi and Negri. The IRF have really got their act together with player development.
@kidcalder said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Italy 12 Menoncello is a big strong fast handful
He's class. Very similar to Damien De Allende. Seems to be able to do it all. Should dominate that position for the next 10 or so years.
Well, I hate to have my forebodings come true and it really hurts to see us lose playing so poorly. It does seem to me that Borthwick has lost the dressing room. Where is the energy? The enthusiasm? The willingness to put your self on the line for your team? Sadly missing all over the field and that has to be down to management. You don't suddenly get a whole team of very good players becoming dogshit all at the same time. We need a new coaching team. Maybe keep Blackett but that would be about it.
Fantastic and well deserved result for Italy who are going for their best 6N ever and are looking good for 3 wins out of five. Wales will of course have something to say about that though.
England - you were fucking awful and stank the place down.
Well I was out by 2 points. I’m almost relieved, let’s get rid of Borthwick after the France game. Let’s stick with F Smith at 10, let’s pick our best 8, let’s settle on a centre pairing, let’s pick a full back.
Let’s, for fucks sake, find a decent head coach.
Congrats to Italy, it’s been a long wait, impressive that for large parts of that game they didn’t even play very well but we’re still good enough to beat that shower
He's got the backing of the board...
@Jet said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let this England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.
Perhaps we should fire him?
Congratulations Italy.
A bit of a quandary for the England RU chiefs this close to the RWC - similar issues NZR faced. It may be too soon for sweeping changes but do they conduct an independant review now including players? If Borthwick has the confidence/backing of the team then continue as per the Foster situation and make changes to the assistant coaches and/or coaching system - if not, sack Borthwick and start recruiting...?
@MiketheSnow said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Take it from someone like me who knows pro wrestling.....
Haters will always call it fake but NO ONE can block the old flying Pizza dough move. Instant fatality.
Nope, this from Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360948519/england-coach-steve-borthwicks-world-cup-future-questioned-after-shock-loss-italy
'Steve and his coaching team are working tirelessly to make improvements, and we remain fully committed to supporting them and the players as they face France this weekend and then look ahead to the Nations Championship.' RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.
Poor Borthwick has picked the wrong week for a resounding response now France will be looking for the same.
@allblacksfan2 said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
Congratulations Italy.
A bit of a quandary for the England RU chiefs this close to the RWC - similar issues NZR faced. It may be too soon for sweeping changes but do they conduct an independant review now including players? If Borthwick has the confidence/backing of the team then continue as per the Foster situation and make changes to the assistant coaches and/or coaching system - if not, sack Borthwick and start recruiting...?
Good summation.
@MN5 said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:
I did not think I could enjoy that victory any more than I did.
The above photo and quote of Maidenhead's Voldemort tells me I am very wrong.