- The numbers counsel that England have improved below Steve Borthwick
- However they have to construct on their progress once they go to New Zealand this summer time
- That shall be an acid take a look at and dealing with them in their very own again yard is a problem
Earlier than this Six Nations, Steve Borthwick mentioned his intention was to enhance England’s poor latest Championship document.
The England head coach identified that three straight years of simply two wins was an underwhelming return for English rugby. He was fully proper to take action.
With three wins in 2024, the numbers counsel England have improved and I feel they’ve made important strides.
The victory over Eire, because of Marcus Smith’s dramatic late drop-goal, felt like a seminal second. It could have confirmed the gamers they do have the flexibility to beat the highest groups. However England are solely simply getting began so let’s not get carried away.
They need to be competing for the Six Nations title and Grand Slams so whereas successful three video games to complete third is a step in the suitable path, there may be nonetheless important work to do. England should construct on this Six Nations once they go to New Zealand in the summertime.
England have improved below Steve Borthwick and made important strides on the Six Nations
However there may be nonetheless work to do and dealing with the All Blacks shall be an acid take a look at for Borthwick and Co
That shall be an acid take a look at, as dealing with the All Blacks in their very own again yard is among the hardest challenges you possibly can face. England have solely ever gained twice on New Zealand soil.
In 2014, I began all three Assessments towards the All Blacks. We ending up shedding all three matches. However the first two Assessments had been tight. We misplaced 20-15 in Auckland and by just one level in Dunedin earlier than we ran out of steam and had been blown away 36-13 within the last match.
England will be capable of give New Zealand a great run for his or her cash as long as they give the impression of being to play the type of sport they did towards Eire. That must be the template for the workforce transferring ahead.
Borthwick has had criticism for his teaching being one-dimensional. I did not play below him when he was accountable for Leicester, however being at Tigers as a participant now and talking to the blokes right here, I’ve received a great understanding of his strategies. I used to be additionally an England team-mate of Steve’s.
He actually is aware of what he needs. He has a really structured game-plan that’s centred on a powerful kicking sport. However this Six Nations has seen him evolving his game-plan. That is actually promising for England, as a result of at worldwide degree you possibly can’t beat the highest sides specializing in a powerful kicking sport and set-pieces. You want greater than that.
The win over Eire, because of Marcus Smith’s dramatic drop-goal, felt like a seminal second
This Six Nations has seen Borthwick evolve his game-plan and that is promising for England
It additionally helps the supporters get behind the workforce if the model of rugby is sweet to look at.
I used to be shocked when my Leicester team-mate Freddie Steward was unnoticed of the Scotland sport in my outdated place of full-back. It did not work, as England carried out poorly as a workforce.
However George Furbank, who has are available, performed properly towards Eire. I nonetheless suppose Freddie has an enormous future on this England set-up, although, as a result of he’s so good at his full-back fundamentals.
With Furbank and guys like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman working riot, England can have a vivid future as long as they construct on what they’ve achieved to date.
They should discover consistency of their assault so there is not a repeat of Scotland.
Felix Jones’ blitz defence should proceed to enhance too. They must excellent the laborious press so it could actually develop into an enormous weapon, in the best way South Africa have had success.
With gamers like George Furbank (left) working riot, the workforce can have a vivid future
The ultimate factor is choice.
They’ve the idea of a powerful workforce. However in addition they have to work out who will take the workforce ahead long run.
For instance, Danny Care won’t make the following World Cup so who’s back-up No 9 to Alex Mitchell? It is the identical with Dan Cole.
There are nonetheless inquiries to reply, however I am extra upbeat about England on the finish of the Six Nations than I used to be at first.
