Forget the Scoreboard: Why England’s 'Worst' Six Nations Was Actually a Masterclass in Progress

The Great British Grumble

If there is one thing we Brits do better than anyone else, it is complaining. We complain about the rain, we complain about the price of a Freddo, and we especially love to complain about the England rugby team. On paper, the recent Six Nations campaign looks like a bit of a disaster. A mid-table finish and a collection of results that would make even the most optimistic fan reach for the gin. However, if you actually put down the spreadsheet and watched the matches, you would know that the final standings are about as accurate as a weather forecast in April.

The narrative being spun is that this was England’s worst ever Six Nations. Statistically, perhaps it was. But in terms of soul, ambition, and not making us want to put a brick through the television, it was actually a massive step forward. Steve Borthwick has taken a squad that was playing like a group of accountants and turned them into a side that actually looks like they enjoy holding a rugby ball. That is no small feat.

The Paris Heartbreak: A Gallic Gift?

Let us talk about that final game in Lyon. Losing to France in the dying seconds is a special kind of pain. It is like waiting forty minutes for a bus only for it to splash you with a puddle as it drives past. Thomas Ramos’ monster penalty from the halfway line was a dagger to the heart, but the fact that England were even in a position to win that game speaks volumes. In previous years, England would have gone to France, kicked the leather off the ball, and lost by twenty points without ever threatening the try line.

Instead, we saw a team that was willing to go toe-to-toe with the French flair. We saw tries that were built on genuine skill rather than just waiting for the opposition to make a mistake. It was brave, it was exciting, and yes, it was heartbreaking. But I would rather lose a thriller in Paris than win a bore-fest against Italy any day of the week. For the first time in a long time, the England team looked like they had a plan that involved more than just 'kick it and hope for the best'.

Borthwick’s Brave New World

Steve Borthwick often gets an unfair rap. He has the demeanour of a man who enjoys filing his tax returns early, but beneath that stoic exterior, he is building something genuinely interesting. He inherited a mess. The post-Eddie Jones era was a confusing landscape of discarded players and tactical identity crises. Borthwick’s first task was to stabilise the ship, which he did by making England incredibly hard to beat, if a bit dull to watch.

This Six Nations saw the transition to 'Borthwick 2.0'. The introduction of Felix Jones and his 'blitz' defence has been a revelation. It is high-risk, high-reward stuff. Sometimes it leaves gaps that a double-decker bus could drive through, but when it works, it suffocates the opposition. It is aggressive, it is proactive, and it is exactly what English rugby has been missing. We are no longer waiting for things to happen: we are making them happen. That shift in mentality is worth more than a couple of extra points in the tournament table.

The Ben Earl Show

If we are talking about value for money, we have to talk about Ben Earl. In an era where every penny counts, Earl is providing a world-class performance every single week. He has become the heartbeat of this team. Watching him carry the ball is like watching a human bowling ball. He does not just run into people: he runs through them. He has been the standout performer of the tournament, and he represents the new energy that Borthwick is trying to cultivate.

Then you have the fly-half conundrum. George Ford remains the tactical mastermind, the man you want at the helm when you need to navigate a tricky storm. But Marcus Smith is the spark. His cameo appearances have been the equivalent of a double espresso. He brings a level of unpredictability that keeps defenders awake at night. The balance between Ford’s control and Smith’s chaos is something England are finally starting to get right. It is not about who starts and who finishes: it is about having the right tools for the right moment.

The Statistical Lie

Let us address the elephant in the room: the league table. England finished third, behind Ireland and France. To some, that is a failure. But look at the context. Ireland are currently a well-oiled machine that has been years in the making. France have a depth of talent that is frankly offensive. For England to beat Ireland at Twickenham and come within a whisker of beating France away shows that the gap is closing. We are no longer the also-rans of the northern hemisphere.

The 'worst finish' headline is a classic example of stats without context. If you lose two games by a combined total of five points, you are a very different team than one that gets blown away. England are competitive again. They are physical, they are fit, and they are starting to develop a clinical edge. The progress is visible to anyone who isn't blinded by the final score. We are building a foundation that will serve us well for the next World Cup cycle, and that is far more important than a plastic trophy in 2024.

Is it Worth Your Hard-Earned Quid?

Being a rugby fan in the UK is not cheap. Between the cost of a TV licence, the extortionate price of a pint at Twickenham, and the general cost of living crisis, fans want to see value for their investment. For a few years, watching England felt like a bit of a chore. It was a tactical slog that often lacked any sense of joy. This tournament changed that. Even in defeat, there was a sense of pride and entertainment.

We are seeing young players like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and George Martin come into the side and look completely at home. There is a sense of renewal. If you are spending your Saturday afternoon watching the national team, you want to see ambition. You want to see players taking risks. You want to see a team that reflects the grit and determination of the fans. This England side is finally starting to provide that. It is a team that is worth getting behind again.

The Verdict

So, was it England’s worst Six Nations? Only if you think the only thing that matters is a number on a screen. If you care about the direction of travel, the development of talent, and the sheer entertainment value of the sport, it was actually one of the most promising campaigns in years. Borthwick has found a spine for his team and a style of play that suits the modern game. We are no longer just a team that tries to bully people: we are a team that tries to outplay them.

The summer tour to Japan and New Zealand will be the real litmus test. Going to the home of the All Blacks is the ultimate challenge for any side, but for the first time in a long time, I am actually looking forward to it. We might not win every game, but we will certainly give them a run for their money. And in the current climate, a bit of genuine excitement is worth its weight in gold.

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