New England 2023 core begins to show itself in the Edinburgh deluge
In a game that is better left forgotten in the annals of rugby history, England kept alive their Guinness Six Nations title hopes on Saturday afternoon with a dogged 13-6 win over Scotland at BT Murrayfield.
With Storm Ciara rapidly descending on Edinburgh at kick-off, the game was played out in driving rain and blustery gales, neither of which was conducive to an entertaining game of rugby. It’s probably fair to say that this wasn’t even one for the purists.
A contest of kicking, the set-piece and a truly fervent desire not to be in possession of the ball ensued, with England coming out on top, just about it, in all of those aspects. The scrum went well, the lineout performed admirably given the conditions – and remarkably in comparison to Scotland’s unit – whilst the kicking game faltered at times, but England’s defensive effort in response did not.
Starting with that battle of the boot, England captain Owen Farrell distinguished himself with his kicking from hand. He kept the ball low and skidding across the pitch, avoiding the worst of the gales, as he repeatedly prodded Scotland back inside their own half. Willi Heinz had a strong first half with his box-kicking, before his kicking compass began to go awry after the interval, whilst there were multiple kicks that George Ford and Elliot Daly will want back when they review the game.
Nevertheless, England’s multiple options, which also included some solid punts from full-back George Furbank, and Farrell’s incision away from the tee was enough to force an error-prone Scotland into gifting England enough opportunities to get over the line. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked.
Continue reading below…
Watch: Don’t Mess with Jim – England’s selection dilemmas
At the scrum, Mako Vunipola held his own on his return to the starting XV, although it was Kyle Sinckler who truly impressed once again, just a week after having worked an advantage against the French pack. Whether partnering Vunipola, Joe Marler or Ellis Genge, who had an impressive cameo from the bench, Sinckler is continuing to prove himself the anchor of England’s front row.
The tighthead looked sharp in the loose in the opening forays, too, although that was quickly superseded by England’s unrelenting desire to kick possession and play defence. Had the conditions been more conducive, it would not have been surprising to see Sinckler resume his duties as one of England’s premier ball-handlers and playmakers.
Jamie George coped remarkably well with the adverse conditions at the lineout, especially after losing two of his first three throws and the demons would have inevitably been gnawing at the back of his mind. He went on to nail the next seven throws, as Scotland struggled in comparison, losing a total of eight throws to the wind and spoiling work of England’s locks.
PLAYER RATINGS
– @alexshawsport rates the England players #SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations ???????https://t.co/5eOLhSqLFM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 8, 2020
In the row, Maro Itoje shook off the rust from an up and down opener against France with an influential performance in terms of the turnover ratio. He was forcing Scotland to cough up possession both with the physicality of his tackling and his predatory ability at the lineout. Similar to Sinckler, there were a couple of early glimpses of a rejuvenated attacking impact in the loose, before kicking became the dominant facet of the game.
All eyes in the back row were on Tom Curry’s second outing at No 8, as well as the ball-carrying offering that was expected from Lewis Ludlam, but it was openside Sam Underhill who really stole the show. From dominant low tackles on the gain-line to a persistent slowing of Scottish ball at the breakdown, not to mention a reckless abandon to secure loose balls, the Bath flanker was exactly what the doctor ordered in the Edinburgh deluge.
Curry shone, too, albeit questions will still be raised over his inclusion as a No 8 instead of on the flank. Those who follow England have become expectant, blessed with what Billy Vunipola has given them for a number of years now, and anything that falls short of that will be considered a disappointment. It’s not that Curry is a lesser player, it’s just that he’s a different player.
Eddie couldn't resist a parting shot. #SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations ??????????????https://t.co/S2UPQb3DG6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 8, 2020
Finally, in the back line, Jonny May passed almost all the tests that were sent his way, with his spilled ball on the opening kick-off the only mark against him in very challenging conditions. He didn’t get the opportunity to showcase his well-appreciated attacking ability, but he was able to diffuse the high balls that came his way, including a couple under intense pressure from Scottish chasers. Few people will have forgotten his individual attacking heroics against France the previous week, either.
It was brutal and it was ugly, but crucially for England, it brought four points and put their Six Nations title bid back on track. Winning breeds confidence and confidence breeds performances. Coming off the back of the Rugby World Cup final and the struggles in Paris, this was much-needed and despite being a very unorthodox match thanks to the conditions, has shed further light on the England side of this current cycle.
Although the squad resembles the one that took to the field in Japan last year, England head coach Eddie Jones has said himself that this is a new team and that the team he built for Japan ended its journey at that Rugby World Cup. On Saturday afternoon, we found out more about the ‘core’ of this new side that is now being moulded by Matt Proudfoot and Simon Amor, as well as Jones and John Mitchell.
Did the Scots play with 14 as one player got a 1?? from ?? https://t.co/0MduXFnJX9
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 8, 2020
The aforementioned septet of Sinckler, George, Itoje, Curry, Underhill, Farrell and May are singling themselves out as irreplaceable in the first glimpses of this new-look England team. Their leadership, their influence on the pitch and their ability to adapt, not always a trait that English rugby excels with, are clear to see and they look to be the group to build around moving forward for Jones.
Of course, no one is going to exclude a fit and in form Mako Vunipola, but England have an enviable depth of options at loosehead, not least so the fast-rising Genge. Billy Vunipola and Manu Tuilagi are game-winners, though their proclivity for injuries make them hard to rely on, whilst the likes of Anthony Watson, Jack Nowell and Joe Cokanasiga will get their opportunities to make their cases for inclusion when they return to fitness.
There is plenty of time for things to change between now and the beginning of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, although if England have a strong core around which they can rotate and tinker, it certainly won’t hurt their chances when they come to attempting to go one step further than they did out in Japan last year.
Barring another freak storm and similar torrential conditions, England’s upcoming test against Ireland at Twickenham should give Jones and his side the opportunity to put in a more emphatic bounce back performance, especially with Andy Farrell’s side picking up two wins from two and hunting a Grand Slam. That is a chance to show that the win over New Zealand was not a zenith but a potential new standard.
For now, English pride has been restored and recent wounds have been salved as the group return south with the Calcutta Cup in their possession.
Watch: Andy Farrell and Jonathan Sexton react to win over Wales
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
20 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
7 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
72 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
20 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
7 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
20 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
20 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
20 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to comments