Steve Borthwick blames more ill-discipline after England’s first-ever loss to Italy

ROME – England’s dismal Six Nations campaign hit a new low on March 7 with their first-ever defeat by Italy, leaving Steve Borthwick to blame another ill-disciplined display which cost his side dearly.

The coach rang the changes after his side suffered a 42-21 loss to Ireland the last time out, which came on the back of a defeat in Scotland, but the same old problems remained.

England had two players yellow carded against Ireland and in Scotland Henry Arundell was sent to the sin bin before picking up a second yellow card to earn an automatic 20-minute red card.

“This has been a team that had built a very good disciplinary record. That is something that needs to change,” Borthwick said when announcing his side to face Italy.

Instead, England allowed an eight-point lead to slip after two yellow cards in the second half. Italy had a man advantage when Sam Underhill was penalised for a shoulder-to-head tackle.

The Italians knocked over two penalties before captain Maro Itoje followed Underhill to the sin bin and, with England still down to 14 men, Leonardo Marin’s try clinched a famous win, 23-18.

“We are bitterly disappointed,” Borthwick told the BBC.

“I thought at 60 minutes we had the game under control, but going down to 13 men hurt us badly. They took their one chance very well and were able to get over the line.

“From a leadership perspective off the field, with Sam Underhill and Maro off the pitch, we were limited in the changes we were able to make.”

Borthwick was quick to compliment an Italian side who finally beat England after 32 defeats, but he was also disappointed with his team’s inability to add to their two tries scored in the first half.

“They are a top-quality opposition,” he said. “As we look over the last 12 months, we have been scoring a lot of tries, but right now we're not able to apply as much scoreboard pressure as we want.

“Clearly, this is a really challenging and tough time. I thought their intensity was very good today, but it was our discipline that cost us.”

In another match, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend praised the mindset of his players to keep attacking France in their extraordinary 50-40 victory at Murrayfield that keeps their title hopes alive.

Scotland ran in seven tries, at one stage scoring 40 unanswered points.

“It was a brilliant day,” Townsend told the BBC.

“The mindset to keep attacking; a lot of teams would sit on that lead against France. We know the best way of winning is playing like what got us that success in the first half.”

Second-placed Scotland are now level with France on 16 points at the top of the table but are well behind on points difference. REUTERS