RFU backs Borthwick but flags multiple Six Nations failings
"The review concluded that, despite coming off a 12-game winning run, England's underperformance across the Six Nations was not the result of a singular failure or issue," it said. "Instead, it highlighted a number of interconnected performance areas, such as discipline, execution of opportunities and making the most of key moments, where improvement is required if England are to consistently perform at the level expected. "We recognise why supporters felt frustrated and that they expected more.
That disappointment was shared internally, and it underpinned the seriousness with which everyone engaged in this process. "England head coach Steve Borthwick has engaged in the review with honesty and rigour, and he and his coaching team are already addressing issues identified. " Henry Arundell received a 20-minute red card against Scotland During the Six Nations, England picked up eight yellow cards, two of which combined to make Henry Arundell's 20-minute red against Scotland, undermining their efforts.
It was the highest number of cards received by any team in a tournament campaign since Italy's ill-disciplined 2002 showing. Elsewhere, they recorded the second-highest number of entries into the opposition 22m (53, behind champions France's 57), but took an average of only 2. 7 points from each visit.
Only Italy, with an average of 1. 6 points, had a worse return. England kicked the ball more than any other team in the Six Nations, frequently frustrating fans with the lack of variety in their gameplan.
Borthwick had insisted that his side had licence to innovate on the pitch and play instinctively if openings appeared, and the seven tries scored in a narrow defeat by France in the final round showed promise. "The way in which the team aspires to play was clear throughout the review," added the RFU. England's next match is in Johannesburg against world champions South Africa on 4 July, before games against Fiji and Argentina on the following weekends.