Borthwick's side were shown 14 yellow cards and one red in 2026 to date and, partly as a consequence, have lost five of their past seven Tests, with struggles spanning from the autumn of 2025 into this year's Six Nations.
Steve Borthwick is urging his England players to act smarter and recognise the vital importance of keeping 15 players on the field before a pivotal month for the national team.
Borthwick’s side have been shown 14 yellow cards and one red in 2026 to date and, partly as a consequence, have lost five of their past seven Tests.
When you look at the teams we are playing against in the next few weeks there is a big breakdown challenge coming.” Borthwick is also highlighting defensive steel – “We need to ensure we make it very, very difficult for the opposition to score” – which the head coach also believes is not being aided by the four-try bonus-point system in the Prem.
The way the interpretations are right now there is likely to be a decision that goes against you which gives an entry into the 22.
“I think the evidence says it should follow the Top 14, which makes defence important right until the 80th minute.
Borthwick is also concerned that different refereeing interpretations in the domestic Prem are not helping England at international level, with the latest complication being a mid‑season law change preventing so-called “hip-drop” tackles.