THE class of 2024 staged an England's Got Talent night at their recent training camp-but now Steve Borthwick's men must bring the X Factor to Twickenham.
Leicester double-act Ollie Chessum and Freddie Steward are England's latest answer to Ant and Dec, as the squad's new social secretaries.
The talent show helped a new group of players let off steam as well as form tighter bonds, even if some of the acts "got a bit weird", according to captain Jamie George.
Head coach Borthwick will judge his players all he likes, but the Twickenham crowd will always have the final say.
England were booed off the pitch the last time they played at HQ, in the 30-22 defeat by Fiji in August's final World Cup warm-up match.
Borthwick's side had previously suffered their record Twickenham defeat in last year's Six Nations, being ravaged 53-10 by France in March.
Go back to the end of 2022, and home defeats by Argentina and South Africa cost Eddie Jones his job. England's fans could not identify with their team, and the Red Rose men did not even recognise themselves, either.
Borthwick's side exorcised some demons by gaining revenge over both Argentina and Fiji at the World Cup, then so nearly toppled eventual champions South Africa in the semi-finals.
この記事は Evening Standard の February 09, 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。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Evening Standard の February 09, 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。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Don't Want Botox? Then Try These Alternatives
From microcurrents to lasers, there are other ways to tackle ageing skin, says Madeleine Spencer
It's high time the Borthwick regime delivers on promise
England boss needs a statement win and the All Blacks are up first
Bukayo Saka
The making of a London icon
Even Ridley Scott thinks our big screens are epic
Outernet is now one of London's top attractions --but the man behind it isn't resting on his laurels
Laura Bailey on why Margate is her favourite escape in the UK
Incredible light, sea air, galleries galore and only two hours from Victoria: it's the model and photographer's dreamland...
The Old Operating Theatre
St Thomas Street, SE1
Can drugs like Ozempic really help to getthe economy firing again?
Labour's plan to give the unemployed weight-loss jabs may have unintended consequences, reports William Hosie
AI is the new frontier of perfumery...But just how fragrantare these scents?
Choosing a signature scent is a highly personal experience. Not only do preferences differ greatly, but certain perfumes react differently depending on your skin. Bergamot top notes may be intoxicating on one person's wrist, but seem soapy on another.
Is it time to ditch the apps and embrace the science of love at first sight?
The chemistry of love isn't just a romantic ideal - it's a scientific reality, discovers
A poetic puzzlebox
This lyrical novel sets out to dazzle and terrify