Maro Itoje admits England have to 'face facts and reality' after chastening Six Nations defeat to Italy as Steve Borthwick calls out indiscipline

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England suffered a first-ever defeat to Italy in the Six Nations, condemning them to a third successive loss in this year's tournament. Conversations will turn to Steve Borthwick's future as head coach, as England now face a potential last-place finish in the Six Nations for the first time ever. Maro Itoje admitted his side need to "face reality" in the wake of the startling defeat.

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England captain Maro Itoje admitted that his side have to "face reality" after a chastening first-ever defeat to Italy.

After entering the Six Nations on an 11-game winning streak, England begun with a win over Wales but have since suffered three successive losses.

Reeling from defeats by Scotland and Ireland, Steve Borthwick's much-changed side threw away an eight-point lead in Rome as Azzuri captured a maiden victory over the English on their 33rd attempt.

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A second-half capitulation included two yellow cards to English players, Itoje being one of them due to a slap-down at a maul. Eight minutes prior, Sam Underhill was binned for a high tackle.

A record defeat to Ireland at home followed a Calcutta Cup loss at Murrayfield, and Itoje knows that his squad have their backs against the wall.

"Look, it’s obviously disappointing," Itoje told ITV after the game.

He continued: "It’s on us as players. We have to wear the performance. This team over the last year have put some good performances together; of recent, we haven’t. We have to face the facts and face reality and get back to work.

"We obviously have to figure that out [what is going wrong]. If we knew, we probably wouldn’t be in this position. Teams go through tough periods, and we are going through a tough period now. As players, we take responsibility for that.

"We just have to own the result. We are in a results-based business, and the result wasn’t good enough. As players, and as captain, I take responsibility for that."

Heading into the tournament, England were being tipped for a Grand Slam tilt as Borthwick's side came into the campaign with a winning streak which they extended to 12 matches following a resounding win over Wales.

Players of England look dejected at the end of the Guinness Men's Six Nations Rugby match between Italy and England at Stadio Olimpico on March 7, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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The final weekend clash in Paris against France was labelled as a potential championship decider. Instead, Itoje and his team will be hoping it does not end with England at the bottom of the pile.

Italy, who are now vying for their best-ever finish in the Six Nations, head to Cardiff to take on a reborn Wales side who pushed Scotland and Ireland close.

Should the Welsh capture their first victory of the campaign against Italy, and England fall to defeat against reigning champions France, Borthwick will have the unfortunate legacy of being the first England manager to oversee a last-place finish.

'Ill-discipline cost us' - Borthwick

Borthwick admitted that ill-discipline was England's downfall against Italy. England led by two points at the start of the second half after Tom Roebuck's try late in the first.

It suggested that, as tends to happen in this fixture, Italy would fall out of the game as England put their foot on the pedal.

Instead, cards to Underhill and Itoje stopped them in their tracks, Italy regained momentum and eventually Leonardo Marin scored a wonderful winning try crafted by Tommaso Menoncello and Monty Ioane.

"I think firstly, credit to Italy," Borthwick said post-match. "They are a very good side that have developed a long way. You can see that in their performance.

"We are terribly disappointed. We are gutted by not being able to get the result. I thought for 60 minutes, we were in pretty good control of the game, but two sin-bin incidents and going down to 13 men really hurt us."

Speaking about his side's discipline, he said: "It’s cost us. It’s certainly been a significant factor in this championship."

Borthwick not meeting player potential - Monye

With a World Cup on the horizon in Australia next year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) may begin to face uneasy questions about Borthwick's future leading the team.

Former England international Ugo Monye did not hold back when summarising where England stand after three quickfire defeats.

Monye said on ITV: "You look at the last couple of weeks. He [Borthwick] gave faith in players to see if they could back it up, they didn't do that against Ireland so he rang the changes, and that didn't work.

"You look at the teams in this championship. France are top and tracking well. Scotland are getting better. Italy are getting better. Wales are getting better. England are on the slide.

"It's only ever one or two things, it's either the players or the coach. I think the potential of the players isn't quite being met by the vision of the head coach at the moment."

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