It’s never easy to talk about an England loss, especially when the team’s goal should always be to come out on top.

However, after watching Steve Borthwick’s side take on Ireland, there’s a silver lining.

Despite the defeat, there were noticeable improvements compared to the team’s performance in the autumn, which gives hope moving forward.

A Strong First Half

The first half was a real highlight. England went into the break with a 10-5 lead, and honestly, they deserved it.

They were physical, well-organised, and their defence was significantly better.

The team’s work without the ball stood out — especially when you compare it to the struggles they faced in previous games.

It was clear that ditching the blitz defence was a step in the right direction.

The Problem After Half-Time

However, the game shifted after the break, and that’s something Steve Borthwick will need to address.

What happened in the second half? For me, it came down to penalties.

England conceded 11 penalties overall, which isn’t terrible.

International teams typically aim for 10 or fewer, but the problem was the timing.

In the second half, the penalty count grew, giving Ireland the momentum and territory they needed to take control.

Once Ireland gets that, they’re a tough team to stop.

Defensive Improvements, But Still Room for Growth

Last autumn, England’s defensive system was all over the place.

The blitz defence just wasn’t clicking, with players rushing up without coordination.

There was no clear structure, and it showed in the way they got exposed.

Fast forward to this game, and it was clear that the defensive shape was better, even though Ireland still managed to score four tries.

Sometimes, you have to accept that a team of Ireland’s quality will break through no matter how good your defence is.

But overall, it was a positive step forward.

Midfield Partnership: A Step in the Right Direction

I’ve been critical of England’s midfield pairing of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence in the past, but both had strong performances in Dublin.

Lawrence, in particular, was impressive — his physicality was a standout.

Slade also had some nice moments, like his kick-through for Cadan Murley’s debut try.

It was good to see them starting to click.

Late Scores: Adding Some Positivity

Some might argue that the late tries from Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman were mere consolations, and that the loss was still a comfortable one.

There’s validity to that point, but I still find room for optimism.

There were signs of a more attacking mindset, which England has been missing.

A great example of this was their decision to go for short restarts.

Marcus Smith’s kick-off was recovered instantly by Freddie Steward, showing a bold approach.

It may seem like a small thing, but that kind of decision-making signals a positive shift.

This is what England fans have been hoping for: a team that’s brave and proactive.

The Curry Brothers and Freeman’s Position

Both Tom and Ben Curry were fantastic in the back-row, and I think they’ve earned their spot for the upcoming match against France.

On the other hand, I’m not sure Freeman should be on the wing.

Before his consolation try in the final play, we didn’t see much from him in attack.

It’s frustrating because Freeman has so much to offer, and we’ve seen that in the Premiership.

A move to the centre could give him a better opportunity to showcase his talents.

A Tough Loss, But Hope for the Future

Losing the first Six Nations match is always tough.

England won’t be claiming a Grand Slam this year, and it’s gutting for the players to lose another tight match.

This is becoming a frustrating trend.

But here’s the key difference: Unlike last autumn, when England lost games without showing much progress, this time there were signs of growth.

The team showed they could be competitive and make strides, even in defeat.

Looking Ahead: A Huge Opportunity

The best part about international rugby is that after a tough loss, there’s always the chance to bounce back.

And that’s exactly what England has next with France coming to Twickenham this Saturday.

It’s a huge opportunity, and the English rugby community needs to get behind the team.

France may have made easy work of Wales, but England’s challenge is different.

It’s going to be a thrilling contest, and if England can build on what they showed against Ireland, there’s a real chance they can turn things around.

The first weekend of the Six Nations was filled with intense Test matches, and while England’s loss was hard, there’s plenty to be hopeful about for the games ahead.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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