The only team to go backwards in the 2026 Six Nations was England. Where every other nation had something positive to hang their hat on when the dust settled on Super Saturday, Maro Itoje’s team were left high and dry, having lost four of their five tournament matches - and it explains why there are no England players in my team of the tournament.

After a 40-point trouncing of Wales in the opening round, which took England’s unbeaten tally to 12 matches, there were great expectations both within the England camp, and from Red Rose fans.
Instead, their supporters had to strap in to follow a ...