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England: Rugby World Cup 2023 review
England finished third at Rugby World Cup 2023 after their hopes of winning the trophy were ended when they agonisingly lost by a point to South Africa in the semi-final.
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Abiding memory
The image of a heavily bandaged Tom Curry – who missed two games after being sent off in the opener against Argentina – being replaced after giving his all on his 50th cap in the bronze final summed up England’s tournament: in the wars but ultimately emerging with credit.
Try of the tournament
England’s kick-heavy approach was a point of discussion throughout RWC 2023, but when it worked it could be a thing of beauty – and highly effective, as George Ford proved in the Pool D match against Japan, his pinpoint crossfield kick finding king of the skies Freddie Steward to score in the corner.
Quote that said it all
“I think many people wrote we wouldn’t get out of the group, maybe some of them are here tonight.”
– Fighting talk from head coach Steve Borthwick after victory against Fiji put England into the semi-finals.
Man of the moment
Without a doubt all-action back-rower Ben Earl. England’s most consistent performer during the tournament, he also provided moments of inspiration, such as the line break and 50-metre sprint upfield during the quarter-final against Fiji.
Got the reward his performances deserved in the bronze final, picking a beautiful line off Marcus Smith’s short pass to score England’s opening try. Should be a key player in the years to come.
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One for the future
Five tries, albeit some of them walk-ins, against Chile gave fans a glimpse of Henry Arundell’s potential.
The 22-year-old will play in France for Racing 92 this season but has been given special permission to play in the 2024 Six Nations after his last club London Irish went into administration. He will be hoping England develop a game to suit his attacking style.
From the Touchline
Joe Marler’s ‘header’ for Courtney Lawes’s try in England’s win against Japan earned the prop the honour of strangest assist of the tournament – and also a gift from his favourite football club, Brighton, a signed shirt from the Premier League outfit with ‘Marler 1’ on the back.
Key statistic
1 – the number of teams England have lost to in the past two RWCs. South Africa beat them 32-12 in the 2019 final and, agonisingly, 16-15 in this year’s semi-final. England might be looking to avoid the Springboks in 2027 – or finally get one over on them on the big stage.
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Verdict
After losing to Scotland, France and Fiji at Twickenham in 2023 and looking underwhelming in the build-up, expectations were low for England’s RWC campaign. But they recorded arguably their best performance since the RWC 2019 semi-final in the last four against South Africa.
Some experienced players are retiring but if they can build on the potential of those who emerged during this tournament, and expand their gameplan, Borthwick’s team should again be a force to be reckoned with in four years’ time.
Comments on RugbyPass
Chiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
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