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.
Denne historien er fra October 29, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 29, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
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Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
