The basis of the honeymoon concept was that the handover from Jones involved a team that was so broken – both as a credible top-tier nation and in its sundered relationship with the supporters – that the only way was up.
That’s not how it turned out. Borthwick’s message that he had inherited a team “which weren’t good at anything” turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy as they slumped to new lows in the Six Nations, losing by a record score to France, and then bombed in the World Cup warm-ups, including losing to Fiji at Twickenham.
After England scuffed their way through the weakest pool in the tournament unbeaten and then secured a narrow quarter-final victory over Fiji, they finally raised a gallop against South Africa – and might have pulled off a huge semi-final upset but for another scrum collapse.
The decision by Borthwick to bench his veteran starting props, Dan Cole and Joe Marler, going into the final quarter turned into a self-inflicted wound as South Africa squeezed their replacements, Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge, to such an extent that the penalties they conceded saw the Springboks edge home.
It is why selection of this best Red Rose line-up for the 2024 Six Nations starts with the front row, where England’s succession plan is a mess. Borthwick needs to put it right rapidly, establishing a short-term plan, and a medium-term pecking order.
For the moment his two best international props are Marler, 33, and Cole, 36, and I advocated both in print and on podcasts that they should have been his starting duo throughout the World Cup.
They should be asked to hold the fort this season, or until the next best props prove their credentials. Their bench understudies should be Beno Obano at loosehead, and either Ehren Painter or Will Collier at tighthead.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の December 24, 2023 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。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Rugby Paper の December 24, 2023 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。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.