From 12 straight wins to 2 heavy losses: England’s Six Nations slide accelerates - AP News
AP News
February 21, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
England’s dominant run in the Six Nations Championship has come to a sudden end with two heavy defeats, raising questions about the team’s form and strategy under head coach Eddie Jones. Once celebrated for 12 consecutive wins between 2020 and 2021, England’s recent losses to France and Italy have exposed vulnerabilities and sparked concerns among fans and analysts alike. These results mark a significant shift in their performance, highlighting the challenges they face as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
The team’s decline can be traced back to several factors, including key injuries that disrupted their lineup and strategic changes under Jones. While England showed promise early in the championship, their inability to adapt to defensive pressures and capitalize on opportunities has led to costly mistakes. The loss against France, in particular, was seen as a turning point due to its implications for their overall standings.
Despite these setbacks, Jones remains focused on rebuilding and refining his squad ahead of future matches. The immediate challenge is to regroup and address the issues that derailed their progress. England’s ability to bounce back will be crucial not only for this championship but also for their preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
This unexpected slide underscores the high stakes of international rugby and the pressure faced by top teams to consistently deliver results. While fans hope for a rebound, the current trajectory raises questions about England’s long-term prospects in the tournament and beyond. The outcome of this season could have lasting effects on their reputation as one of rugby’s leading forces.
For now, all eyes remain on England as they seek to turn their fortunes around. Whether they can recover from this slump will be a defining moment for both the team and their coach.
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Originally published on AP News on 2/21/2026