England are Six Nations wonders

ENGLAND’S remarkable two-match transformation from a kick-chase side into a team which hit all the highs in terms of attacking tempo, skill, and risk, was the wonder of the Six Nations.

England’s resurrection, after four dismal years, lit up the tournament – and they were integral, along with Ireland and France, in two humdinger games. They won the first by a whisker to foil an Irish Slam and lost the other to France by the slenderest of threads in a Lyon spectacular.

In both games the Red Rose men outscored the opposition – three tries to two, and four to three – to put down a marker as a team of rich promise.

The story of their transformation has yet to emerge fully, but George Ford, who went from the fly-half shadowlands of the mess at Murrayfield to guide the team towards a sunlit future, offered a candid insight. Ford said “honest conversations” after the Scotland defeat, which included leading players and coaching staff, challenged head coach Steve Borthwick to put more emphasis on attack in the fortnight leading into the Ireland game.

Ford also accepted that he had allowed the burden of responsibility at 10 to push him too far towards a territorial kicking game, and by flicking the switch to a more attacking mentality he felt like a different player – like the player he used to be.

England face a hard road over the next six months, with a two-Test summer tour of New Zealand, preceded by a Test against Japan in Tokyo. The autumn series that follows is equally demanding with Tests against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

This England team appears to have found itself, and to have reconnected with its supporters through a ‘no fear’ mentality. There will be highs and lows ahead, but as long as they remain true to the attacking marker they have put down, the trajectory will be upwards – and they will be a box office attraction.