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Many people are using the same phrase about Steve Borthwick's England
In the wake of England’s lacklustre 20-9 Summer Nations Series defeat to Wales, head coach Steve Borthwick has been left to grapple with a myriad of errors and a disappointing performance from his team.
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The match, which saw England squander a lead of 9-8 at the interval, has led to a wave of concern among fans and pundits alike, with many using the same term – ‘underwhelming’ – to describe the team’s showing.
Borthwick, clearly aware of the gravity of the situation, stated after the match that he would take a period of reflection ahead of announcing his World Cup squad tomorrow. The defeat to Wales has left the coach with some crucial decisions to make, as he aims to assemble the best possible team for the upcoming tournament.
“I will reflect where I am in terms of the squad selection and whether this game changes anything or clarifies anything regarding that,” Borthwick. “I will reflect where I am in terms of the squad selection and whether this game changes anything or clarifies anything regarding that.
“It is another piece of information in terms of the full picture, which is what I was always after on each and every one of the players to make the best-informed decision. This game informs many different elements and it is another step as we build forward through these four games.”
Despite it being ‘just a World Cup warm-up game’ it’s clear that the England faithful are losing patience with how this England team are performing. Borthwick has just two wins from six outings as head coach, and the nature of yesterday’s defeat to Wales has left fans and pundits highly concerned.
Former England head coach and outspoken Daily Mail columnist Clive Woodward went in hard in his column. “There can be no doubt that this was one of the poorest games I’ve ever seen England play,” wrote Woodward. “I thought England would win comfortably looking at the two sides but they were second best by a long way.”
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Woodward was particularly alarmed by England set-piece. “The biggest disappointment from an English perspective was the set-piece. For all the team’s recent struggles across the board, England’s scrum and line-out are normally very good. But in Cardiff, they were nowhere near the standard required to win international matches. In Test rugby, the set-piece is everything and England weren’t at the races.”
The term ‘underwhelming’ gained traction on social media, with fans and commentators expressing their disappointment at England’s latest flop.
Welsh journalist and broadcaster Ross Harris wrote: “As for England, a concerning reversal in the second half. Handling errors abounded, and set-piece crumbled. Borthwick remained impassive, but those lineout steals will have cut to his core. Plenty of time and rugby to come, but an underwhelming start.”
As for England, a concerning reversal in the second half. Handling errors abounded, and set-piece crumbled. Borthwick remained impassive, but those lineout steals will have cut to his core. Plenty of time and rugby to come, but an underwhelming start.
— Ross Harries (@rossharries1) August 6, 2023
The Harlequins podcast had similar thoughts, writing: “Feeling very underwhelmed by Borthwick… Talked a good game in his first press conference of reconnecting with fans and bringing excitement – none of that has come to fruition. Will we ever see a “Bazball” equivalent in English Rugby?”
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Feeling very underwhelmed by Borthwick…
Talked a good game in his first press conference of reconnecting with fans and bringing excitement – none of that has come to fruition.
Will we ever see a “Bazball” equivalent in English Rugby?
— Harlequins Podcast (@harlequinspod) August 5, 2023
Former England player, Kyran Bracken, was dismayed at the amount of box kicking from England, despite being a 51 cap scrumhalf. “I know it’s a warm up game but why do England Rugby box kick everything? It’s painful!”
So many negatives from that game – really do believe Borthwick is out of his depth at internatiomal head coach level !! No pace and very one dimensional !! Embarrassing at best shocking and underwhelming
— John (@Macbails) August 5, 2023
There were many, many more in that vein.
Steve Borthwick. Underwhelming for me and seems like a very safe play.
Would have gone outside the box and gone all out to try and get Robertson or O'Gara personally if money wasn't an issue.
— Potts (@mpotts81) December 5, 2022
After 20 minutes of #RWC2023 warmup #WALvENG, neither side is covering itself with glory. Both sides badly underperformed in the 6 Nations, and neither are showing that they’ve resolved the many problems both sides had. Underwhelming so far.
But great to have more rugby on TV!!!
— Dorje (@dorje_m) August 5, 2023
Even the Associated Press described the England performance as “horribly underwhelming”. England now have a chance to bounce back in Twickenham. With Borthwick naming his side tomorrow, if anything it adds more pressure on England to perform over the coming weekends. They must now bounce back in Twickenham next weekend.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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