The England tactic enraging rugby fans online after Scotland match

England’s 16-15 victory over Scotland in the Calcutta Cup has failed to appease a sizeable portion of rugby fans, who took to social media to voice their frustrations regarding head coach Steve Borthwick’s tactics.

Despite securing a narrow win at Twickenham, many fans described England’s persistent reliance on the boot – from box kicks to tactical punts – as ineffective, poorly executed and above all, incredibly boring.

England’s kicking strategy repeatedly handed Scotland possession, enabling the visitors to counter with dangerous strike runners. Several posts on social media pointed out the apparent lack of a cohesive chase, which meant that many kicks merely relieved pressure, rather than creating attacking opportunities for England.

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But it was the sheer repetitiveness of the kicking that sapped the souls of many England rugby fans.

Former England fly-half Andy Goode wrote: “England are just playing one phase then kick it, we need to be more threatening ball in hand attack more”.

Not only was it boring, it failed to utilise the attacking talent of Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence, Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman.

Ben Bradford wrote on X: “Scotland have been excellent, but this English gameplan is baffling. When we do string a few phases together we look dangerous and break the line… The Borthwick kicking strategy is stifling these players.”

G Pedliham spewed: “The box kicking is not a strategy that’s working. Borthwick doesn’t have the wit to change it,” while DFMack similarly mused “The Borthwick box-kickers… only one team playing rugby here”

Another poster asked for Borthwick: “Yet again England underperform against Scotland. If we lose this, Borthwick has to be sacked next week. There’s absolutely no progress being made under his regime.”

Another frustrated fan cheekily quipped: “Borthwick will be RAGING with Marcus Smith over that last play because he didn’t aimlessly kick the ball away as per the 2-year game plan.”

Garvin Barwell queried what the players must make of the tactics: “These England players must hate playing for Borthwick. Zero ambition to play with the ball in hand.”

Another not so happy customer offerd: “England rugby has to the most boring, one dimensional side I’ve ever seen. Kick kick kick. Then they eek out a point victory. Something has to be done work the rules. It simply cannot be that you can be so negative and successful. There is zero incentive to play rugby.”

And it wasn’t just England fans. On RTE Former Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip described England’s gameplan as ‘Really boring… just kicking the leather off it’, while fellow Ireland back-rower Stephen Ferris queried whether Steve Borthwick is the man to progress this team.