'Abysmal': England panned as Clive Woodward insists 'it's not that big of a gap'
England’s Guinness Six Nations took a shocking turn as they were completely outplayed by France at Twickenham, losing by a record-breaking 53-10 scoreline at the home of English rugby.
The home side’s attack was largely impotent throughout the 80 minutes, suggesting head coach Steve Borthwick’s controversial decision to drop Owen Farrell to the bench for the match didn’t pay off. The men in white failed to produce much of anything in attack, with handling errors in the wet and a complete failure to compete at the breakdown costing them dearly. The French, on the other hand, were clinical and efficient, at times seeming to score at will.
The defeat was particularly bitter for England as it marked their worst home defeat to France in Six Nations history, and it seems to be a clear indication that the team was in disarray.
No doubt the pressure on Borthwick and his coaching staff is now mounting, just four games into his reign and it feels like a crisis again.
Commentator Nick Mullins put the record loss in context on Twitter, writing: “The biggest walloping England have ever taken at Twickenham. Their third worst anywhere. France reminding us of the joy they can play this game with. A game we’ll never, ever forget.”
The biggest walloping England have ever taken at Twickenham. Their third worst anywhere. France reminding us of the joy they can play this game with. A game we’ll never, ever forget. pic.twitter.com/Knj3tiD92A
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) March 11, 2023
“I’m a bit in shock watching this at the moment,” said a flabbergasted Clive Woodward on ITV at halftime. “We have just been outplayed, at 1-8 especially. The French forward pack is so powerful and athletic, so good with the ball in hand… That surprised me. I thought the English players would be a lot closer. I thought we would struggle to win this game today, but I thought we would be close.
? "I never thought I'd see that scoreboard at Twickenham."
Sir Clive Woodward is in disbelief at how England performed against France.#ITVRugby | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/kooD3HQyt7
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 11, 2023
At full-time that shock had turned to optimism, with Woodward even suggesting the gap between the teams wasn’t that great. “It happens. England were never going to win that game today, there were second by a long, long way. It’s not that big of a gap.
“England have now got to go and play Ireland next week, that’s a sobering thought… The mentality of our team is not the same as the French team. That’s down to Galthie, there’s no doubt about that… It’s a sobering day, no doubts about that. I was coaching a team in Australia when we lost by 70-odd points, but that a second or third team. To actually see this in a Six Nations game, I never thought I would ever see that scoreboard at Twickenham.”
Former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney laid into England on Irish television.
“England have been dreadful,” said Rob Kearney on the Virgin Media 1 panel. “No ambition. They don’t want to play any rugby… For England at home to be down 27 points to 3 [at halftime] is pretty abysmal.”
The loss might well raise a smile for former England head coach Eddie Jones, who was fired in late 2022. Now Wallabies head coach, Jones had faced criticism during his time in charge, yet it seems to have gone form bad to worse under Borthwick.
Former England flyhalf Andy Goode, however, believes that some of the liability still lay with Jones: “Pants down, massive skids on show, who takes 50 at home, we do,” wrote Goode. “Awful day for England showing how far we’ve slipped under Eddie Jones and now how far behind we are under Borthwick.”
Pants down, massive skids on show, who takes 50 at home, we do. Awful day for England showing how far we’ve slipped under Eddie Jones and now how far behind we are under Borthwick
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 11, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments