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Six Nations

'We've had to watch a few clips you wouldn't enjoy... we've had a recurring theme'

By Josh Raisey

46 days ago

England's Ollie Chessum, England's Joe Heyes and England's Maro Itoje during the Guinness Six Nations 2026 match between England and Ireland at Allianz Stadium on February 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

England’s poor discipline is a “recurring theme” that has come out of an “honest” review following defeats to Scotland and Ireland, second-row Ollie Chessum has revealed.

The England squad reconvened on Wednesday having been given a small break after the 42-21 Guinness Six Nations round three defeat to Ireland at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. The loss all but vanquished any hopes of the title for England, which already seemed unlikely after the 31-20 loss to Scotland the week before.

Speaking to his former England and Leicester Tigers team-mates Dan Cole and Ben Youngs on the For the Love of Rugby podcast inside England’s Pennyhill Park camp, Chessum said that the days after the recent defeat have been “pretty crap”.

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“You see little bits on social media or you watch the game back, and it’s not great,” he said.

“For me, personally, it’s not been a great 48 hours or so. I don’t feel like I had a great game and I imagine there will be a lot of lads that feel the same. That can eat away at you.”

Fixture

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Italy

23 - 18

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England

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Chessum said that the return to camp was a “big review day,” with a focus on how England can fix any issues when they run out to play Italy at the Stadio Olimpico after the upcoming fallow weekend.

“It’s been honest,” he said. “We’ve had to watch a few clips back that you wouldn’t enjoy watching back. But that’s the nature of it. Then it’s like: ‘how do we get better at this? What does this look like for us next week?'”

An issue that the British and Irish Lions lock said has been a “theme” is England’s discipline.

Steve Borthwick’s side have conceded 34 penalties so far this Championship, only one fewer than Wales and twice as many as leaders France. On top of that, they have received more yellow cards than any other team this year, with six (although one became a red card to Henry Arundell as it was his second yellow card of the match).

This is an issue the 25-year-old lock described as a “huge one for us”.

He said: “We can’t review everything in a day, you can’t review everything every game, whether you win or lose. But you’ve got to pick out those key areas that either we’ve had a recurring theme where we’ve not been where we want to, or, in the context of the Italy game, what will be massive for us.

“We’ve had two yellow cards in the last two games [and a further two against Wales] and when you’re playing against top teams, that’s going to cost you when you haven’t got men on the field. That’s obviously a huge one for us.

“We need to bring that penalty count down and that then changes the momentum of some key moments of the game at the weekend.”

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Comments

20 Comments

Hammer Head 46 days ago

Count yourselves lucky!

You only had to watch a few clips while the rest of us watched the whole thing.

unknown 46 days ago

If the England side spent more time training and working on their skills as they do speaking to the media then they would probably be in a far better place. Every day it seems to be a new article from a different squad member. Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words!

Bob Salad II 46 days ago

Now that the most of the raw emotions have subsided after the events against Ireland, I’ve arrived at the conclusion that Borthwick may as well throw caution to the wind and go all in on his attack against both Italy and France. What’s he got to lose? 3/5 would probably be enough for him to keep his job, but it’s a huge task.

I’m not sure there’s much point trying to fix that shambolic defense, which probably won’t keep Italy or France out in any case, so acknowledge England’s opposition 22 entries have generally been good, fix as best they can and just try and outscore both and to hell with how many England concede. A win by a point is still a win.

Seems ridiculously simplistic to state it, but keep hold off the ball as it’s much harder for the opposition to score if they haven’t got it. The scrum has been okay and I’m sure Borthwick will go for ballast given the strength of the Italian pack and I’d like to see Chessum dropping in at 6 and CCS coming off the bench.

Similarly, load up on ball carriers. Fisilau off the bench along with CCS adds impact. Dan for George can also open things up. Atkinson at 12 punching in off of 2nd phase and Furbank returning at 15 with Fin at 10 should give England that missing spark. Does Arundell get another go? Not sure, but with Furbank on the pitch, he may be able to more opportunities to release him. Mitchell will be missed, but not much we can do about it. Expect Borthwick to go with JvP and Spencer, but I’d gladly drop Quirke in the mix if he’s available.

Borthwick can’t be pragmatic and conservative. If the last 2 games have taught us anything, it’s playing with the handbrake on and selecting players to fit a specific plan that’s been undone so comprehensively isn’t going to cut it.

Tom 45 days ago

Borthwick's job will only be endanger if we lose to Italy.

Hammer Head 46 days ago

You can’t win games with a shambolic defense.

And, for me, defense is an attitude and body language thing. A confidence thing. Afterall, it is a fight. Over a ball. Over territory.

If SB throws caution to the wind after listening to you Italy will win. Their ruck speed and aggression around the rucks is good. Their defence is good. They will win if England defence is half as bad as last outing.

BH 46 days ago

Good points but i am not sure SB will throw caution to winds, we definitely need more heft in the carry and to keep possession for more phases but the risk is trying to play too much in the wrong areas can lead to issues.

My worry is that he will return to the basics with JVP and Ford to “manage” the game, which will narrow our defence again.

It is not clear if Lawrence is going to be fit, if not then who steps into 13

If Lawrence is fit to play he needs to be a lot sharper in the 13 channel but given his injury some rust was to be expected but Ireland ran us ragged there but that also coincided with a confused defensive system ( read failed completely)

The default pick for 12 would be Dingwall however i agree Atkinson or Ojomoh would likely be a better option.

Fullback is another area that a lot of commentators are talking about with Hendy /Furbank being called for, whilst i rate Hendy i can see Furbank getting the nod if he comes through the prem cup this weekend.

Who starts at 11 Arundell?

The forwards may well see some changes the front row scrum wise have looked strong, i can see Chessum and Itoje starting but the back row balance with 3 x 7’s has been outmuscled and outworked in the last two games i would like to see Fisilau /CCS involved with Pollock and Curry off the bench and Underhill and Earl at 6 & 7.

However all this is moot if the defensive system is still as porous as it was, this is an area that needs major work as it has deteriorated since last summer to a ridiculously poor standard.

That’s my armchair coaching two bob’s worth.

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