England side slave to ‘data’ — Carling

Will Carling believes Steve Borthwick’s England rugby side are being constrained by a “data straitjacket” based on their performances in the Six Nations so far.

The former England captain said he was aware of frustration among supporters with the team’s style of play under Borthwick, despite the recent drive by the Rugby Football Union to improve the Twickenham Stadium atmosphere.

“First and foremost, you have to win your games. That’s what people want to watch. The crowd generally are smart enough . . . they want to see a team playing and using its ability and potential that it has,” Carling said.

England have won two of their three Six Nations fixtures this year — by three points against Italy and two against Wales, before a loss to Scotland last month.

With games remaining against Ireland on Sunday and France a week later, Borthwick’s side face the prospect of finishing a Six Nations campaign with just two wins for the fourth consecutive season.

“The frustration of late has been that it has been quite a formatted, constricted game.

“The players have more ability and potential than we are seeing. The crowd feel that as well. It’s almost as though they have been confined to play a certain way, and there is frustration with that.

“I don’t think it’s a development thing, it’s what this coaching team believes is the way to win rugby matches. Which is primarily driven by what they see in data.

“I’m sure data gives you insights into games, but if you are looking at data in hindsight, you can read stuff

The players have more ability and potential than we are seeing. The crowd feel that as well.

Former England captain Will Carling

into that and end up reading into that in the wrong way.

“Sport in essence — hence my frustration at Twickenham — is about taking risks, fulfilling potential, watching players do things which make you get up off your seat. Suddenly there’s an overlap in your 22; let’s go, let’s play.

“I sense that England are very much having to play a format. They are in a data straitjacket, is what I call it. I think that can be frustrating,

“I’m sure for players as well as fans. I might be biased, but I think we have players with more potential and ability than that.

“But hey, the real truth is, it’s so bloody easy when you’re sitting in the stands and I’m very aware of that.”

The 58-year-old also addressed his previous mentorship role within the England set-up under Eddie Jones.

Carling worked as an adviser with the leadership group, revealing that he clashed with Jones over England captain Jamie George not being part of the system during Carling’s time with the side.

“Eddie’s view was great, and yet you always knew that his real belief was that fitness and functional playing roles, he viewed if you get those right, you win games. Not leadership, environment, sense of family, identity, purpose. Nah, mate.

“I had a slight difference of opinion on what I ultimately really think makes a successful team.

“But hey, he was in charge. We had a few stand-up arguments, it would be safe to say. But that’s the way it should be.”