England’s wins in the pool stage of the 2023 World Cup gave them some momentum, especially the backsto-the-wall victory over Argentina. However, even though they always had a good chance of getting to the semi-finals – and achieved it after a one-point win over Samoa, and a narrow quarter-final victory over Fiji – England did very well to come so close to reaching another final.
I’m interested in where they go now, with the 2024 Six Nations so close. Steve Borthwick is very unlikely to just wipe the slate clean and start again, because the head coach and Owen Farrell have a strong connection.
I don’t believe it is a broad enough game to bring consistent success, but you also have to ask who can take over from Farrell at fly-half at the moment. Farrell is now 32, but while he is in the squad, and captain, Borthwick is bound to pick him – although I would be pleasantly surprised if he went for a wider strategy.
This would entail Borthwick thanking Farrell for what he has achieved, but saying that he needs to change the culture. To be fair to Owen, people wrongly point the finger at him, because often he can only play as well as the England pack allows him to – and these forwards do not regularly have the same physical impact as their counterparts for South Africa, New Zealand, France, and Ireland.
All the New Zealand forwards can pass and carry, whereas Dan Cole did not touch the ball in the entire semi-final. However, Cole and Joe Marler did a good job at the scrum against South Africa, Maro Itoje also showed up, George Martin did well, and Ollie Chessum and his younger brother are both coming through.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
