Make no mistake, this is now a full-blown crisis for England and Borthwick | Gerard Meagher

"When responses to defeat are promised and repeatedly fail to materialise, the logical next step is regime change. Make no mistake, this is now a full-blown crisis for England. It was a humiliating loss at the hands of opponents who had never previously beaten them, who didn't have to play spectacularly well, but who seized their opportunity when ill discipline reared its head in the England ranks once more."

"The haunted look writ large across the face of Maro Itoje said it all. England had burst into the Italy half, deep into the 80th minute, and Ollie Chessum was on the gallop, desperately trying to salvage something from the wreckage. Closer and closer they got before the shrill of the referee's whistle confirmed England's worst nightmare."

"Leadership is certainly not the only problem for England but it is a critical one. It is now three defeats in a row, each more soul-destroying than the last. Borthwick is under enormous pressure, fighting for his job, with a trip to Paris to come next week against a France side who will be gunning for the title."

England experienced a devastating loss to Italy in rugby, a historic first defeat in the fixture spanning 33 attempts. The match saw England reduced to 13 men due to yellow cards for Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje, with Itoje's second yellow of the tournament proving critical. Italy capitalized on England's ill discipline to secure a famous victory despite not playing spectacularly. The defeat represents the third consecutive loss for England, each progressively more damaging. Coach Steve Borthwick faces enormous pressure with his job in jeopardy. His decision to make 12 changes to the squad failed to produce results, and he struggled to extract improved performance from the altered lineup. England faces France next week in Paris.

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