England legend: Curbing Finn Russell, and why Irish are title tip
Former England prop Jason Leonard has explained what Steve Borthwick’s team must do to curb the influence of Scotland No10 Finn Russell in next Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener at Twickenham. He has also given his verdict on new England coach Borthwick and predicted that Andy Farrell’s Ireland will ultimately be crowned champions when the tournament ends in March.
Scotland have enjoyed an excellent record versus England in recent times, winning in 2018, 2021 and 2022 while also drawing in 2019. It’s a five-game run where the only English victory came at Murrayfield in 2020 and the legendary Leonard, who won 114 England caps during a lengthy career crowned by World Cup glory in 2003, believes the threat of Scotland out-half Russell must be dealt with.
“Finn Russell is a box of tricks,” he said. “He is a great player to watch. The back row of England have got to nullify Scotland’s ability to be on the front foot. With Russell, he is a wonderful player, but any fly-half will tell you that if they are going backwards and he is on the back foot, even though Russell is special, it would make his job with Scotland so much harder.
“Having said that, it’s not all about one player, Scotland has got other good players too, but the match-ups, the two fly-halves on the day, that will be exciting. All England will be concentrating on is trying to nullify Finn Russell.”
This weekend’s round one Calcutta Cup fixture at Twickenham will mark the first match in charge for Borthwick, the new England head coach who succeeded Eddie Jones in December. What does Leonard make of the freshly appointed boss?
“As a coach, he is very technical. He is very good. A lot of the players that have worked with him previously have said how focused and technical he is but he’s also a great guy. He knows the pride of putting on an England jersey because he has done it himself and has been captain of his country. It’s a good time for the players to play themselves into the side with a World Cup just around the corner with players trying to impress in this Six Nations.
“That is what Steve will want from the players, giving it 100 per cent and collectively all together going forward. The World Cup is important, but it’s months down the line. It’s a cliche, but it is one game at a time and Steve will know this. Steve has been there as a player and now he is doing it as a coach. That puts England in a good place.”
That said, Leonard is tipping Ireland to be crowned champions. “Ireland are going to be the favourites because of how the games have been scheduled. Ireland has got their two hardest games at home, France and England,” he explained, speaking on behalf of investment platform Saxo and their partnership with Harlequins.
“France has also got to come to Twickenham, which historically has been a tough place for them. Ireland will probably play down their chances but I suspect they will be the favourites. They play great rugby and they have had some impressive wins. Their setup right now is possibly the blueprint for international rugby, the only other set-up that comes close to it is New Zealand.
“They can actually manage the players’ workload and their training, making them peak for certain games at certain times of the season. The English and the French seasons are a battle from the first game to the last game, where their players play the majority of the games for their club.
“In Ireland, they can pull players out. They will have a word with the clubs to make sure they are rested for a couple of weeks. Everything is there for Ireland. Is a Grand Slam possible? They will fancy their chances, having England and France at home and getting results on the road, They could do it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to comments