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'That is the great thing about the situation we are currently in': The straw England are clutching after losing Six Nations title grip
England assistant John Mitchell has insisted it is not all doom and gloom amid preparations for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations round four game with France following a disappointing February where defeats to Scotland and Wales sandwiched an average performance against Italy.
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Those losses have left fourth-place England well off the pace in their title defence, trailing leaders Wales by eight points and second place France – who have a game in hand – by three.
Coming off the back of their much-criticised indisciplined surrender to the Welsh in Cardiff, where they fell away to lose by 16 points having drawn level with less than 20 minutes remaining, England will be on the back foot when they host the Grand Slam-chasing French.
However, rather than feel they have nothing to play for with the title out of reach, Mitchell believes there is still much for England to gain in a match that is taking place 14 weeks after they needed extra-time to squeeze past a much understrength French XV in the Autumn Nations Cup decider.
“We have got a huge amount to play for because we want to find our best and we want to find our best performance,” said Mitchell when asked about the challenge of England picking up the March pieces following an unsatisfactory February.
"Looking forward to taking away what he has"
– England are primed for the France dangerman#SixNations #ENGvFRA https://t.co/i3BssvDeTo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 9, 2021
“That is the great thing about the situation we are currently in, that we have got a great opportunity to find our best and you learn more from being in these situations and your belief you will find a way is the real positive thing about it. We haven’t found our best yet but we have an opportunity to find our best which is exciting,” he added about a fixture where many eyes will be on France’s Antoine Dupont.
“The biggest lesson has been seen, has been acknowledged, that we need to improve our discipline. What is key to that is how we respond – some things we can control and some things we can’t. It’s a matter of what we can control. There is definitely greater awareness, there is an education around the area. Not for one minute do we want to stop playing on the edge and continue to be physical… but it’s important that we are a lot cleverer and smarter in the situations.
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“It’s a feeling thing. It comes through connection, togetherness. We are working hard and it will come. There is no doubt about it. The timing will come because it is something we really enjoy and it is something we pride ourselves on so we are not going to throw away something that is really important to us and is ultimately a strength that we can bring week in, week out.”
'This week @Alishabutchers1 had to fundraise to cover the cost of ankle surgery following ligament damage sustained while training'@_JessHayden ??? on elite women's players paying out of pocket for treatment in order to play the game #IWD21 #IWD https://t.co/Y7tfa1K2Fl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks 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.
25 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.
11 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!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 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
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments