England’s Six Nations title hopes were effectively ended after a record 42-21 defeat to Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with Ellis Genge apologising.
A week after being outmuscled 31-20 by Scotland at Murrayfield, Steve Borthwick’s side once again found themselves chasing the game early. Ireland stormed into a 22-0 lead inside the opening half hour, exposing defensive frailties and dominating the breakdown in a performance that left England reeling.
Speaking afterwards, Genge said the manner of the defeat had reopened wounds from the previous weekend.
“Two weeks in a row conceding so many points in the first 15 minutes. There is no mountain to climb after that and everyone has to take a look at themselves,” he told the BBC. “No one knows what the answer is right now or we would have sorted it out.
“It opened up scar tissue from last week. We have to be better at managing that period and stop turning the ball over.”
Ireland ran in five tries, with Jamison Gibson-Park, Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien crossing during a blistering first half before Dan Sheehan secured the bonus point early in the second period. Jamie Osborne added further gloss to a display that surpassed Ireland’s previous best win at Twickenham, a 32-15 victory in 2022.
England briefly threatened a response either side of half-time but ill-discipline and inaccuracy undermined any momentum. Freddie Steward was sin-binned during the first half, while Henry Pollock saw yellow shortly after the restart. Borthwick also made early tactical changes, withdrawing Luke Cowan-Dickie and Steward before the break in an attempt to stem the tide.
The defeat overshadowed Maro Itoje’s 100th cap and marked England’s first loss at Twickenham since November 2024.
