LONDON (AFP) – England go into today’s Six Nations match with Italy at Twickenham knowing a win may not be enough to appease critics of their faltering attack.
If third-placed England, whose points difference currently stands at minus three, are going to remain in realistic title contention ahead of their tournament finale against Wales in Cardiff a week next Saturday, they will have to improve on their recent one-point wins over France and Scotland.
Those narrow victories followed England’s run of seven straight defeats by top-tier opposition, including a loss away to reigning champions and unbeaten tournament leaders Ireland, up against in-form France in Dublin, in their Six Nations opener.
And while Steve Borthwick’s men deserve credit for their resilience, the England coach’s claims they had “found a way to win” after a 16-15 triumph over Scotland at Twickenham a fortnight ago rang slightly hollow given the Scots outscored his side three tries to one, only for Finn Russell to miss all three conversions.
