Having dodged another bullet at home to Italy, the game against England last Saturday was something of a defining occasion. With two home games to finish, against Wales and Scotland, a top-half finish beckons, even if the title proves beyond their reach. Alongside 73 points and nine tries conceded in their past two defeats, against Scotland and Ireland inside eight days. Among other things it reflected the widening gap between the good game England are talking and the overly predictable, flawed one they are actually playing. Unfortunately, they are also conceding more than six tries per game on average, which is not going to win many Tests.

Source: Irish Examiner February 25, 2026 00:00 UTC