It was a year when Sir Clive Woodward’s side shattered records and delivered some of the most scintillating rugby ever seen in the tournament's history, only to fall agonisingly short at the final hurdle.
A record-breaking campaign
England’s dominance throughout the early part of the 2001 Championship was nothing short of extraordinary. Over four emphatic victories against Wales, Italy, Scotland, and France, England’s attacking prowess was unmatched. They scored a tournament-record 29 tries and amassed 229 points, setting another record for the most points scored by a team in a single Six Nations. Their average of 54 points per game left no doubt about their credentials as the premier team in Europe.
Particularly memorable was their 80-23 demolition of Italy at Twickenham, the highest-scoring match by one team in Six Nations history. With a points difference of +167, England underlined their supremacy going into the final round, their defence conceding just 62 points across the four games. Rising stars like Iain Balshaw dazzled, while established names such as Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson cemented England’s reputation as Grand Slam favourites.
Postponement and its impact
However, what began as a triumphant march was dramatically interrupted by the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth crisis, which wreaked havoc across the United Kingdom. Travel restrictions forced the postponement of Ireland’s fixtures against Scotland, Wales and England, delaying the conclusion of the tournament by seven months.
When England finally reconvened to face Ireland in Dublin in October, the momentum they had built earlier in the year had dissipated. The summer of 2001 had been a gruelling one for many of England's players, with 21 of them involved in the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. Injuries and fatigue took their toll, and England’s preparation for the decisive clash was far from ideal.
The final hurdle: A familiar tale of heartbreak
Heading into the rescheduled fixture, England were still heavily favoured to claim the Grand Slam. Yet, as had happened in 1999 and 2000, they faltered at the last hurdle. Ireland, inspired by captain Keith Wood and the vocal Lansdowne Road crowd, rose to the occasion. Peter Stringer’s pivotal tap tackle on Dan Luger denied England a certain try, and Wood himself crossed the line off the back of a well-executed lineout. England’s attack struggled to replicate the fluidity and ruthlessness seen earlier in the year.
The final score, 20-14 in Ireland’s favour, marked yet another agonising missed opportunity for England. While they still clinched the Championship title, the sight of dejected English players holding the trophy in Dublin remains one of rugby’s more bittersweet images - a team that had set unprecedented standards yet fell short of achieving immortality.
Legacy of the 2001 campaign
The 2001 Six Nations serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of sport. England’s performances earlier in the year showcased the heights of their potential, but external factors and the mental toll of an extended campaign ultimately undid them. Yet this period of near-misses would fuel the hunger that ultimately culminated in their 2003 Grand Slam and Rugby World Cup triumph.
For fans, the 2001 Championship remains a compelling "what if" moment: a year of glorious highs and one devastating low, forever etched in rugby folklore.
