Sam Underhill has called on England to tune out external criticism as they regroup ahead of their next Six Nations challenge against Italy. Following a disappointing start to the tournament, including a heavy 42-21 defeat to Ireland at the Allianz Stadium and a prior loss to Scotland at Murrayfield, England’s hopes of clinching the title have been dealt a serious blow just weeks after setting their sights on dethroning France.
The team’s recent performance has drawn widespread criticism, but Underhill emphasizes the importance of unity and focus as England prepare for their March 7 match at the Stadio Olimpico—a game that presents an opportunity for Italy to cause an upset.
“After a loss, there are countless opinions and criticisms, but our challenge is to stay together and concentrate on moving forward,” said the Bath flanker. “We’ll analyze the game, and it may be too soon to draw firm conclusions. Our responsibility as players is to improve individually and collectively while trusting our coaches and each other. That’s the essence of team sport.”
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England struggled on multiple fronts, exposing weaknesses that Ireland exploited to break England’s impressive 12-Test winning streak. What had once seemed a clear path to the Six Nations title, including a potential final showdown in France on March 14, now shifts to a pressing objective: avoiding a finish in the lower half of the table.
Underhill acknowledged the disappointment but highlighted the importance of resilience. “Disappointment is natural, but it’s part of the journey. Progress isn’t always straightforward, and our response matters most. This tournament is fiercely competitive and constantly evolving—every opponent changes both tactically and individually. We must keep striving for improvement after every game, win or lose.”
He added, “We’re never as bad as the critics say, nor as perfect as praise suggests. We weren’t the best team four weeks ago, and we certainly aren’t the worst now. We’ll stay committed and close as a group, looking ahead with hope.”
England’s defeat at Twickenham was one of the most significant in the nation’s history and marked a bittersweet milestone for Maro Itoje, who earned his 100th cap during the match. Underhill paid tribute to the veteran player: “We couldn’t give him the victory he deserved on his special day, but his attitude remains gracious. As he said, progress isn’t linear. Reaching 100 caps is a tremendous achievement. Maro is not only a phenomenal player and athlete but a true leader and an incredible human being.”