England come into the 2026 Six Nations on red-hot form looking to win a record eighth title since the millennium.
The English are 11 matches unbeaten since the 2025 Six Nations, looking to bounce back from a second place finish last edition behind defending champions France.
Locked into a close battle with the French and Ireland, England have the best chance to win the title since Steve Borthwick took over as head coach.
England’s undefeated run-in
The red-hot English are unbeaten over the last 11 matches since the 2025 Six Nations, having scored at least four tries in each international fixture since.
After concluding the Six Nations with four consecutive wins including victories over France and Scotland, England toured Argentina and the USA winning all three matches.
Through July, England defeated Argentina 2-0 across 35-12 and 22-17 victories in front of hostile crowds then overpowering the United States 40-5 in Washington DC.
International rugby returned in November with a controlling 25-7 win over Australia that kicked off four consecutive friendlies at Allianz Stadium.
A confident 38-18 performance over Fiji was followed by a victory over the mythical All Blacks, beating New Zealand 33-19.
Second-half heroes Argentina came to South West London to end the autumn series and England weathered the storm to finish on-top 27-23.
Los Pumas scored 20 points in the second half, but England stepped ahead including a strong home debut for Max Ojomoh.
England are still seven matches away from matching the record win streak of 18 matches under Eddie Jones’ coaching – however are hitting the same form again.
England’s route to the title
Round 1: England vs Wales – Allianz Stadium, London; February 7 (16:40 GMT on ITV and S4C)
Round 2: Scotland vs England – Murrayfield, Edinburgh; February 14 (16:40 GMT on ITV)
Round 3: England vs Ireland – Allianz Stadium, London; February 21 (14:10 GMT on ITV)
Round 4: Italy vs England – Stadio Olimpico, Rome; March 7 (16:40 GMT on ITV)
Round 5: France vs England – Stade de France, Paris; March 14 (20:10 GMT on ITV)
England begin their 2026 charge in Twickenham against the Welsh, the hosts firm favourites to take five points against a Wales side on their knees.
England thumped Wales 68-14 at the end of the 2025 competition and the English will hope that febrile opening-match home support blows away the visitors.
North of the border calls on Valentine’s Day, with no love lost between Scotland and England at Murrayfield with the historic Calcutta Cup on the line.
England took the Cup back last February and snuck by 16-15, Fin Smith nailing a penalty from the halfway line with 10 minutes to go.
However, were England to retain the trophy in Edinburgh, it would be the first victory in the Scottish capital for a decade.
The Irish travel to London wrapping up the first block, hoping to repeat 2024’s heroics when Marcus Smith slotted a drop goal to win 23-22.
England faced Ireland in the opening round last edition and fell to defeat 27-22, two tries in the final five minutes cutting the losing margin.
That loss to the Irish was the difference between finishing second or first in the table.
The run of Scotland and Ireland back-to-back will be the acid test for any hopes of a record eighth Six Nations title.
As well, bonus points will be crucial across the Ireland tie were England to lose, keeping title hopes on life support.
After two weeks’ rest, a trip to the continent is due to Rome versus Italy, a team that England have never lost against.
Then the final match of the 2026 tournament remains, with the title potentially on the line against France at a capacity Stade de France in Paris.
England last defeated France across the English channel in 2016, making the task double-difficult to claim points and maybe the Six Nations crown.
A 26-25 victory at Twickenham in 2025 was arguably the match of the tournament with Elliot Daly scoring within seconds remaining – a fixture to keep an eye on.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Six Nations news: Fixtures and players to watch as Ireland fight for third title in four years
Players to watch
Captain Maro Itoje will lead from the second row, the Saracens 200-cap holder entering his tenth year as an England player.
Itoje returned to club colours in January and led his club side to a win over European Champions Cup contenders Toulouse.
Flanker Henry Pollock has continued to entertain for Northampton Saints at the top of the Prem, the TikTok sensation the target of Bordeaux fans’ jeers in European action.
His six tries this season have been followed by just as entertaining try celebrations.
Young prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has impressed at just 21 years old for Sale Sharks, staking a claim as a starter in the national team.
Bath’s Max Ojomoh was instrumental to a first Prem title in nearly three decades last season, the centre key to strong performances on the continent for the Blue, Black and White.
Bristol’s bustling prop Ellis Genge has become a principal part of the front row as a success story of state-school rugby.
Lastly, Saints’ fly-half Fin Smith is fighting for his place in the 10 shirt against George Ford, a young gun versus veteran battle still ongoing.
READ NEXT: Man Utd news: Michael Carrick appointed head coach until the end of the season
SportJustSport writers