‘Sometimes you need to blow the lid off’: Borthwick backs England to react in Rome

byNews Rugby March 06, 2026

England have successive defeats by Scotland and Ireland
Head coach promises ‘physical intensity’ to return in Italy

England have “blown the lid off” in order to complete their Italian job and salvage their Six Nations campaign with Maro Itoje promising an emotional response to back-to-back defeats.

Steve Borthwick’s side are out of contention for the Six Nations title for another year after dismal defeats by Scotland and Ireland but have won all 32 previous meetings with Italy and spent the championship’s fallow week ensuring they avoid a slice of unwanted history in Rome on Saturday.