England rugby union · The year in full
1988
England played 9 matches in 1988: won 5, drew 0 and lost 4, scoring 154 and conceding 121.
Tournaments and series
Biggest win of 1988
England 35–3 Ireland
19 March · Five Nations Championship
Played91988
Won556% of matches
Drawn0
Lost4Points 154–121
Tries of the year
Top scorers
First caps
7 England debuts
- 16 Jan Jeff Probyn
- 16 Jan Michael Skinner
- 16 Jan Will Carling
- 5 Mar Chris Oti
- 12 Jun Andy Robinson
- 5 Nov Dewi Morris
- 5 Nov Paul Ackford
Oldest first
Every England match of 1988
| Date | Match | Competition | England scorers | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan | 
France 10–9 EnglandFive Nations Championship |
Five Nations Championship | None | England lost |
| 6 Feb | 
England 3–11 WalesFive Nations Championship |
Five Nations Championship | None | England lost |
| 5 Mar | 
Scotland 6–9 EnglandFive Nations Championship |
Five Nations Championship | None | England won |
| 19 Mar | 
England 35–3 IrelandFive Nations Championship |
Five Nations Championship | Rory Underwood, Rory Underwood, Chris Oti, Chris Oti, Chris Oti, Gary Rees | England won |
| 23 Apr |
Ireland 10–21 EnglandTest matches · Millennium Trophy Match |
Test matches · Millennium Trophy Match | Rory Underwood, Richard Harding | England won |
| 29 May | 
Australia 22–16 EnglandTest matches · First Test |
Test matches · First Test | John Bentley, Rory Underwood | England lost |
| 12 Jun |
Australia 28–8 EnglandTest matches · Second Test |
Test matches · Second Test | Rory Underwood, Dean Richards | England lost |
| 16 Jun | 
Fiji 12–25 EnglandTest matches · Test Match |
Test matches · Test Match | Bryan Barley, Rory Underwood, Rory Underwood | England won |
| 5 Nov |
England 28–19 AustraliaTest matches · Test Match |
Test matches · Test Match | Simon Halliday, Rory Underwood, Rory Underwood, Dewi Morris | England won |