Credit Borthwick for changing his approach
ENGLAND’s revival in their inspirational final Six Nations displays v Ireland and France thankfully should end the failed power rugby ethos inherited from the side’s domineering Australian coach Eddie Jones.
Heavily criticised by myself and others as a visionless data driven obsessive, current England coach Steve Borthwick deserves huge credit for changing his modus operandi.
His reversal saw attacking flair replacing failed kicking and collision running phase tactics bitterly opposed by bored supporters aware English rugby’s huge player resources were being misused.
After the error prone 30-21 defeat playing Scotland in Murrayfield Borthwick stuck to the new way with spectacular results as England memorably defeated seemingly unstoppable Ireland 23-22 at Twickenham and unluckily lost 33-31 to France though a last ditch penalty unearthed by the TMO.
The sense of euphoria among visiting supporters in Lyon sensing a rugby renaissance remained undimmed by this defeat for brave England scored four tries against the French who only a year ago humiliated Borthwick’s side 53-10 at Twickenham.
Welcome features in England’s revival include Borthwick’s difficult decision dropping full-back Freddie Steward for the brilliant counter- attacker George Furbank, Ben Earl’s emergence as a world class back row forward after wasted years as a sub, George Martin and Ollie Chessum filling the void left by the departure of Courtney Lawes and the pack’s ability to play quick paced rugby adding to a memorable tackling display withstanding the huge French pack in Lyon.
Maro Itoje’s inspirational leadership after the likeable Jamie George was subbed in those final Six Nations matches highlighted the Eddie Jones blunder continued by Borthwick burdening England’s key player Owen Farrell with the England captaincy.
This ill-judged decision’s unforeseen consequence saw England’s descent into mediocrity and Farrell deserting Test rugby when disgracefully abused by ignorant supporters.
Did not Jones realise the remarkable Itoje had captained England winning the Under 20 World Cup in 2014 outmatching the game’s southern hemisphere giants?
Nearly 300 former players involved in an early dementia legal claim shows the woeful mismanagement of the game with commercialism overriding player welfare. But England’s revival and Italy’s heady success in a compelling Six Nations at least show rugby union has not lost its quixotic appeal as a beguiling mix of skill and power.