But that Murrayfield loss also provides motivation for France. The Stade de France is putting on plenty of pomp on Saturday.
France will play in a special-edition light blue retro shirt. An elaborate show featuring poetry, pyro and Frederic Michalak will precede the match.
Nominally it is all to mark 120 years of Le Crunch – their rivalry with England. But it is difficult to think that the possibility it might also coincide with a Grand Slam bid did not cross the mind of organisers.
If France lose, the title is probably gone and the party pooped. It would be an unbearable anti-climax for the hosts.
Add to the fact that they butchered a clutch of chances in last year’s loss at Twickenham and there is plenty to put right for France.
A heavyweight pack – featuring 22-stone second row Emmanuel Meafou – have been picked to plough through England up front, with the lacerating pace of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has scored in his past nine Six Nations games, lurking out wide.
For England, the consequences of defeat are difficult to predict. The title is long since gone, and the possibility that their coach could follow hangs in the air.
A lukewarm vote of confidence in Borthwick was issued by the Rugby Football Union the day after England’s first defeat by Italy.
Five words in chief executive Bill Sweeney’s final line summed it up.
“England fans rightly expect a team that learns and grows through adversity,” he said. “And we’re confident this group will do everything they can to deliver that.”
No-one is doubting Borthwick and his staff’s diligence and industry but, equally, no-one is staking anything on whether it is still effective.
