England head coach Steve Borthwick criticised the lack of discipline from his side as their Six Nations campaign reached a new low with a first ever defeat to Italy.

Borthwick's men, who had been defeated by Scotland and Ireland in their previous two outings, were beaten 23-18 at Stadio Olimpico, losing to Italy at the 33rd attempt.

Indeed, the result also saw England lose three consecutive Six Nations matches for the first time since 2018. 

Their task was made a lot tougher in the second half after yellow cards from Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje, and Borthwick expressed frustration at the self-destruction of his team, having been in front for large parts.

"We are bitterly disappointed," he told BBC Sport. "I thought at 60 minutes we had the game under control, but going down to 13 men hurt us badly.

"They took their one chance very well and were able to get over the line.

"From a leadership perspective off the field, with [Sam] Underhill and Maro off the pitch, we were limited in the changes we were able to make.

"Clearly, this is a really challenging and tough time. We talked about intensity all week, and I thought their intensity was very good today, but it was our discipline that cost us.

"I have seen the players, and they are really feeling this. Credit to Italy, they have come a long way."

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England were not close to their best but still looked on course for victory when they led 18-10 in the second half, with Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck scoring tries, along with two penalties from Fin Smith.

However, an ill-disciplined final part of the match saw Underhill sent to the sin bin following a high challenge on Danilo Fischetti, before Itoje was handed the same punishment for slapping the ball out of scrum-half Alessandro Garbisi's hands.

Captain Itoje took responsibility for the loss and conceded that the last few matches had been well below the standards set over the past 12 months.

He said: "It was disappointing, but it is on us as players. Over the past year, this team has put together some great performances.

"We have to face reality and deliver some good performances. We need to stick together and figure it out.

"It's a results business, and we have to take responsibility for that."

England will now head into their final match away to France, hoping to avoid a single-win campaign for the first time in Six Nations history.