Borthwick has tough decisions to make

FOURTH in the Six Nations, third in the World Cup. Redemption rather than progress for England given the pool they were in and their highly structured game plan, but given the relatively little time Steve Borthwick had to prepare the team after the sacking of Eddie Jones, to get within two minutes of the final as much as could have realistically been expected.

- PAUL REES

England were at their best against South Africa in the semi-final because the match was fought on their terms in the rain. Fired by a pumped-up Owen Farrell, they kicked high and long, chased hard, hit everything in green that moved and never deviated from the script. It was how they had fronted up against Ireland in March before Freddie Steward’s unwarranted red card motivated the underdogs.

They came up just short having reduced South Africa to shambling wrecks until the scrum became a factor after the props had been changed. It was the first time England had met a team that was in the top five of the world rankings at the start of the tournament and they produced a one-off performance that has been the hallmark of cup competitions through the ages.

Reaching the last four did not mean England had climbed into the top four. Friday night’s play-off match against Argentina again showed how their failure to secure quick ball at the breakdown inhibits their attacking game. It was an issue long before Borthwick took over and lacking the raw power of a South Africa, they take refuge in the boot. So do New Zealand, but they have attack in mind.

Having had to prepare for the short-term, Borthwick can now plan for the future. The team which starts the Six Nations against Italy in Rome next February will be different from the one that took the field against South Africa with Courtney Lawes having announced his retirement from international rugby, Jonny May wondering out loud whether his time is up and Joe Marler, Dan Cole and Manu Tuilagi unlikely to make it to the next World Cup.