England are currently struggling in their 2026 Six Nations campaign with two losses from their three games and now don’t have any realistic prospect of winning the competition this year.
Steve Borthwick’s side suffered a particularly humbling defeat to Ireland at the weekend in Twickenham, which has raised serious questions around his future in the position.
English fans will be looking to avoid those of Scotland and Ireland after the results from the last two weeks, with this including those who love rugby religiously or those that just tune in for the Six Nations and World Cup.
While these fair-weather fans may get ridiculed at times by those who live for rugby, it is great to see a country get behind their team for a Six Nations game.
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However, this will likely remain as a huge debate for fans, but a trio of England icons give their opinions on the matter, with it leading to disagreement.
Saracens and England legends Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell weighed in on this debate.
The hooker was supportive of everyone watching the sport, even if just for the Six Nations, seemingly happy to get new fans to watch rugby.
George said: “There are loads of people who do it, and I actually don’t blame them.
“I just think, do whatever, like, watch whatever you want to watch, you know what I mean?”
Itoje and Farrell agreed that they want people to be happy but were quick to say no to just watching the Six Nations, as the pair are passionate about the sport they have a career in.
The England trio’s controversial opinions
Following this question about whether fans should watch more than just the Six Nations, the trio give their opinions on other rugby points of controversy in a fun interview with Sportbible.
Farrell made it clear that he does not support the splitting the ‘G’ trend with Guinness, despite admitting that he has done it on countless occasions, as he believes it is getting a bit much.
They also gave their views on booing the kicker as they go to take a conversion after a try, with George being firmly against it, as he said: “Pay a little bit of respect.
“I don’t want anyone being booed.”
The England captain believed that it should not be happening as he raised his red flag to it but joked that it doesn’t really bother him as he is not taking the conversion.
Meanwhile, Farrell attempted to find the funny side as he raised his red flag to it happening with the former England international suffering this throughout his career, as he was the kicker at both international and club levels.
He said: “I get booed anyway, so…”
All three were in agreement with the haka and what it can bring to a test with New Zealand or against a Pacific nation following their respective pre-match battle cry, while also agreeing that they like the idea of countering the tradition.
However, with one important caveat.
Itoje said: “As long as you can back it up. That is the thing. You can do whatever you want, but the most important thing is the rugby.”
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union
Brendan McGilligan