England on their way to being a real force again
The Rugby Paper|March 24, 2024
IT’S been a chalk and cheese Six Nations for England, with the first three games going from not much improvement to error-riddled, and then the last two against Ireland and France raising the bar to a totally different level.
England on their way to being a real force again

Let’s be honest, no-one saw those performances coming. They were transformational in the way England played, showing an intensity and skill that we have not seen since the 2019 World Cup.

It was great to see, and this team have given the game in England a much-needed boost. My only concern is the way that some in the England camp almost turned a positive into a negative by harping on about what people thought of the team, and wanting to prove them wrong.

It should have been more about the positives of the hard work that went into turning around the team’s mindset, and utilising the skills and strengths which brought the change against Ireland, and the continuation against the French in Lyon. What we didn’t want to hear was, “that we did it because everyone thought we were crap”.

I thought the game had moved on. The underdog mentality will only get you so far. You have to see that it is the standards you set as a team, and as individuals, which drive it forward.

New Zealand will not suddenly attempt to adopt the role of underdogs in their two home Tests against England this summer – and there is no way that England should rely on what other people think of them as their main motivation.

If England were ordinary in the wins over Italy and Wales, and let the error count get out-of-control in the loss to Scotland, against Ireland they played as if they were the best team in the world.

Their ability to win the collisions in defence and attack, and to score more tries than the opposition, as well as have the fitness to keep their foot down until the final whistle, led to the game-changing last-minute win over the Irish at Twickenham.

この記事は The Rugby Paper の March 24, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は The Rugby Paper の March 24, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

THE RUGBY PAPERのその他の記事すべて表示
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
The Rugby Paper

Dramatic late win boosts leaders

A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
England need to be more consistent
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
4 分  |
November 10, 2024
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
The Rugby Paper

Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions

TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
When value for money is not part of the deal
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
The Rugby Paper

'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.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024