Borthwick urges England players to improve discipline at Nations Championship

• Coach says of need to adjust to refereeing interpretations

• Genge calls timing of ‘hip-drop’ tackle law change ‘beserk’

Steve Borthwick is urging his England players to act smarter and recognise the vital importance of keeping 15 players on the field before a pivotal month for the national team. Borthwick’s side have been shown 14 yellow cards and one red in 2026 to date and, partly as a consequence, have lost five of their past seven Tests.

Borthwick is also concerned that different refereeing interpretations in the domestic Prem are not ­helping England at international level, with the latest complication being a mid‑season law change preventing so called “hip drop” tackles. His expe­rienced prop Ellis Genge has called the timing of the alteration “­berserk” but also fully accepts England must improve their disciplinary record in their autumn Nations Championship fixtures.

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