International Rugby

2026 Six Nations analysis: England’s No.8 debate deepens after Ireland defeat

England have produced a lacklustre opening three rounds of the Six Nations, with poor outings against Scotland and Ireland meaning their title dreams are all but crushed.

by
Will Judd
24 February 2026

England have produced a lacklustre opening three rounds of the Six Nations, with poor outings against Scotland and Ireland meaning their title dreams are all but crushed.

The backs have suffered from ill-discipline, handling errors and poor decisions. However, the one area of the English side which has had some success is the forwards.

Even during the poorest performances, the forwards have continued to show their strength and class.

Only three lineouts have been lost all tournament (zero against Scotland) and the scrum has been the biggest driving force so far.

And at the back of the scrum, Steve Borthwick seems to be changing his mind about who to place at eight.

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Earl – The established hybrid option

Ahead of the tournament, and indeed for much of England’s 12-game winning streak, it was Saracens‘ Ben Earl who made the position his own, shining against the likes of New Zealand and Argentina.

Earl is probably the best example of Borthwick’s love of hybrid players. A natural-born flanker, he has probably had his best games for his country off the back of the scrum.

It was almost a no-brainer to put him there. Earl is not a nuts-and-bolts back rower, largely due to his size.

Extremely athletic, he could just as well play in the centre, which has been tested albeit for a handful of minutes.

What makes him so dynamic is the fact that, despite being built like a big 12, he somehow retains the strength and power to work in the scrum.

It is almost as if world rugby needs to create a position that’s half forward and half back.

Make that happen and Earl could well be the most complete player on the planet. For now, though, Earl is a confident back row who seems stuck at eight for the foreseeable.

Late effort: Ben Earl scores at the death for England in the defeat to Scotland
PICTURES: Getty Images

Pollock – The impact wildcard

That was, however, until the England squad was announced to play Ireland and Earl had shifted back to his native flanker role. In his place, the polarising Henry Pollock.

Pollock is the walking definition of chaos. Coming off the bench, he is a game-changer.

Running full beans against a defence who have already played an hour is only going to result in line breaks and panic.

He has been hailed as the perfect impact player, with ‘coming off the bench’ being his best position, which, seriously, is not an insult.

So when he was named to start against the Irish, it came as a shock.

Unfortunately, whether it be due to the team performance or his change in role, Pollock didn’t quite have the impact we usually see, and it remains to be seen how he fares if he starts against Italy.

Based on the Ireland game alone, it seems like Earl is the go-to starter. But what about those who didn’t quite make the Six Nations starting lineups?

Full of running: Henry Pollock in England colours on Saturday

Cunningham-South – The traditional alternative

Chandler Cunningham-South had begun to pick up in form for Harlequins, but perhaps too late to be in the frame to start, despite being picked in the 26-man squad.

Cunningham-South brings something different entirely to both Earl and Pollock.

Far less athletic, he is more like the traditional eights of old. He seems to cover the old Billy Vunipola style, with strength being the main element of their game.

Defensively, he is great and does help power the scrum. Combine that with a powerful run once he gets up to pace and he is a solid all-rounder of a forward.

Perhaps after England’s struggle with handling and constant other mistakes, he could be the way to go against Italy and onward.