England and Borthwick backed up to the brink in Paris

By

BBC Sport rugby union news reporter in Paris

"If South Africa are the best side in the world, I think France would be right up there just behind them," said England head coach Steve Borthwick this week.

Judging by that silver standard, England have come a long way during his three years in charge.

In 2023 at Twickenham France ran amok.

Damian Penaud gleefully scampering past Alex Dombrandt on his way to the line and a 53-10 scoreline – England's heaviest home defeat – remains an image that haunts the home of English rugby.

In 2024 in Lyon England shut that gap. Only a 79th-minute Thomas Ramos penalty ensured a 33-31 win for France.

And last year England overtook France, as Elliot Daly glided in for a decisive last-gasp try in a 26-25 victory.

A steady incremental improvement year on year?

If only it were that simple for Borthwick and his team.

Instead, the 2026 Six Nations has cast doubt on the whole project.

Defeats by Scotland, Ireland and Italy are new low points to be plotted on the graph.

France will relish extending the losing streak and ratcheting up the sudden and considerable pressure on Borthwick.

Just as in 2022, when England were swatted aside 25-13 in the final game of a clean sweep, this was supposed to be the match in which they clinched a Grand Slam.

Instead, France's dreams of a full house were punctured by an extraordinary 50-40 defeat in Scotland last weekend.

A streetwise Scotland smothered France in defence and ran them through in attack, at one point stretching their lead to a scarcely credible 33 points.

It provides a recipe for England – deny offloads and transition opportunities, lock down the breakdown on attack, feed front-door runners like Jack Dempsey, allow Darcy Graham to roam looking for holes, add in some fiendish strike plays, full heat for 60-odd minutes and voila.

Six Nations

Saturday 14 March, 20:10 GMT

Stade de France, Paris

But that Murrayfield loss also provides motivation for France. The Stade de France is putting on plenty of pomp on Saturday.

France will play in a special-edition light blue retro shirt. An elaborate show featuring poetry, pyro and Frederic Michalak will precede the match.

Nominally it is all to mark 120 years of Le Crunch – their rivalry with England. But it is difficult to think that the possibility it might also coincide with a Grand Slam bid did not cross the mind of organisers.

If France lose, the title is probably gone and the party pooped. It would be an unbearable anti-climax for the hosts.

Add to the fact that they butchered a clutch of chances in last year's loss at Twickenham and there is plenty to put right for France.

A heavyweight pack – featuring 22-stone second row Emmanuel Meafou – have been picked to plough through England up front, with the lacerating pace of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has scored in his past nine Six Nations games, lurking out wide.

For England, the consequences of defeat are difficult to predict. The title is long since gone, and the possibility that their coach could follow hangs in the air.

A lukewarm vote of confidence in Borthwick was issued by the Rugby Football Union the day after England's first defeat by Italy.

Five words in chief executive Bill Sweeney's final line summed it up.

"England fans rightly expect a team that learns and grows through adversity," he said. "And we're confident this group will do everything they can to deliver that."

No-one is doubting Borthwick and his staff's diligence and industry but, equally, no-one is staking anything on whether it is still effective.

Questions about how squad unity is holding up under pressure have been batted back in various ways this week.

Tom Roebuck was earnest. Fin Smith was light-hearted. Ollie Chessum was spiky., external

The atmosphere around training has been positive.

The proof, as always, will be on the pitch, though.

After their own defeat by Italy, Scotland's players rallied around their coach, with Sione Tuipulotu dedicating their win over England the following week to Gregor Townsend.

It was compelling proof of a squad pulling in one direction and behind one man.

The result may not be the yardstick for England.

If this France team play to their potential, whatever England do will not be enough to avert a fourth straight defeat.

But England fans and officials will be looking beyond the scoreline.

Is there spite and bite in defence? Is there shape and pace in attack? Is there a plan and a belief in it?

At different times over this campaign, all have appeared absent.

If they go missing in the Stade de France as well, the spiral will accelerate

The chance for a reset and a shot at revival against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in the summer may not be afforded Borthwick.

In a city of revolution and execution, he is looking for salvation.