The verdict on England after 21 games with Steve Borthwick as boss
Steve Borthwick wrapped up the 2024 Guinness Six Nations by inadvertently reminding everyone that he hasn’t yet lost his unfortunate capacity to say things that leave him and his England team open to ridicule.
Having only been beaten by France with a monster last-minute penalty kick from the halfway line in Lyon, he just needed to leave the bright and breezy English performance to speak for itself, not shift the focus from it by uttering something daft.
“We weren’t beaten tonight, we just ran out of time,” he insisted when asked at the post-game media briefing to make sense of a classic round five finale that had finished 33-31 in favour of France. It was a bizarre hot take that he was inevitably mocked for, and it was a pity that it ended like that.
All the chat should have been about an encouraging England renaissance, about how they played ever so well when beating eventual title winners Ireland and coming within a whisker of doing likewise against the French, who just five months ago were widely tipped, as were the Irish, to win the Rugby World Cup.
What the March flourish has done is guarantee the head coach another year in the role without looking over his shoulder. There were fears that the ugly end-of-February collapse in Edinburgh could leave England vulnerable to Irish and French drubbings that would ignite debate over whether Borthwick was the right man for the job.
"We weren’t beaten tonight, we just ran out of time…"
– England boss Steve Borthwick reacts to Saturday night's agonising 31-33 Six Nations loss to France, from Liam Heagney 🎙️ in Lyon. #GuinnessM6N #FRAvENG #EnglandRugby #rugby pic.twitter.com/mbqgIrtmIl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 16, 2024
That inquisition has now been cancelled and it won’t be until this time next year – once the 2025 Six Nations has ended on the back of a three-game summer tour to Japan and New Zealand and a four-game Autumn Nations Series in which New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are due in London – that the issue might be revisited.
By then, the Borthwick hope will be that his ‘new’ team will be settled and consistently producing top-notch performances versus the world’s best and no longer prone to the blunted, limited ambition tactics leaned on way too much throughout 2023 and again this February.
Having watched in person 20 of the head coach’s 21 Test matches in charge these past 13 months (W12/L9), here are some RugbyPass talking points following the latest England campaign:
Handbrake off
It was February 15, just five days after England had beaten Wales to be two wins from two at the start of the championship for the first time since 2019, when RFU high-performance boss Conor O’Shea delivered a ringing endorsement for head coach Borthwick.
“What Steve did in a short sprint was incredible,” said O’Shea when asked by RugbyPass for an assessment of his head coach. “Now we have got an opportunity to look at a cycle where you’re looking at the short term, which is winning today, but bringing through some of this young talent and really building a massively strong England team in the coming years. I’m more than optimistic.”
Despite the subsequent Murrayfield horror, Borthwick finished the 2024 Six Nations with his team trending upwards. Not since 2020 had the English posted more wins than losses in the tournament. And but for Thomas Ramos making good that late, late whopper kick for the French, they would have finished second to Ireland. That’s promising.
Losing in Edinburgh was the trigger for them to radically change their ways and stop being so dull and boring. Here’s what Sale boss Alex Sanderson said in midweek when asked to explain how the handbrake came off so that his club’s talisman, George Ford, could shine internationally.
“From my understanding, as a team they shifted that attitude and energy by way of how they wanted to attack. They were a relatively predictable team in how they climbed their way up the field through box kicks and the like.
“They wanted to bring variety into the game, get the ball in George’s hands more, and then pick the best space, whether through the hand or off the foot.
“From what I understand George was influential… this is what Manu (Tuilagi) talked about, they just shifted the focus into getting back and being ready to strike. On the back of that, you can pick your option. You can go to foot, you can play through and it just re-energised the team and he [Ford] spearheaded that.”
England created 15 linebreaks in the games against Ireland and France, two teams ranked in the world’s top four, by being more adventurous compared to 13 linebreaks in their games versus the lower-ranked Italy, Wales and Scotland when their tactics were more restrictive and unimaginative.
To put the upswing into further context, England’s 28 linebreaks was the second-best overall in the tournament, up from last year’s sixth-best 16. This is the way they need to continue to play. Fans want to be entertained and they want to have pride in their team, and the atmosphere at Twickenham on March 9 was like old times, with crowd and team as one at the finish in a spine-tingling cacophony of noise. More, please!
Player turnover
Just nine of the match day 23 that Borthwick selected for his first match in charge versus Scotland in 2022 were involved last week in Lyon which hints at the level of change that has happened since Eddie Jones was handed his P45. Head coach Borthwick has selected 58 different players across his 21 matches – 32 forwards and 26 backs – and it’s interesting to drill down into this turnover.
Four are currently ineligible due to playing in the Top 14 – Henry Arundell, Joe Marchant, David Ribbans and Jack Willis. Owen Farrell is on a Test sabbatical and also set for a club switch to France, while Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, Ben Youngs and Mako Vunipola have retired from the Test game.
Tom Curry, Jonny Hill, Bevan Rodd, Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson have been injured. Then there is an 11-strong group, including the Vunipola brothers and Max Malins, who have fallen out of favour.
Maro Itoje has attracted some criticism for no longer being at the peak of his powers. He was ranked sixth overall for his number of attacking ruck arrivals across the six teams, but only 50.5 per cent of England’s rucks took three seconds or less which left them with the fourth-slowest breakdown.
The excellent George Martin in tandem with the bash merchant Ollie Chessum is the ‘horrible and nasty’ second row partnership we would love to see chosen in New Zealand just to see how it goes, but that could be a reach as Itoje is the most selected player in the Borthwick era, starting 19 of 21 matches.
Next best is current skipper Jamie George (17+1) followed by Freddie Steward (16), Ellis Genge (15+4), Ollie Chessum (15+3), Ben Earl (14+3), Elliot Daly (11+1), Ford (10+6) and Alex Mitchell (10+4).
What has happened to axed Steward in recent weeks should serve as a sharp warning to other regulars to never take their position for granted (remember, Borthwick even dropped Farrell during last year’s Six Nations), but what the appearances list also highlights is that some areas are lacking depth.
Just three tightheads have been capped on Borthwick’s watch – Dan Cole, Kyle Sinckler and Will Stuart – and with Cole turning 37 in May and the out-of-favour Sinckler set to move to France and become ineligible for a recall, it suggests the future cupboard could be bare.
Four hookers have been used but with Jamie Blamire starting just once and Jack Walker making only five bench appearances, the workload has been left mostly to George with Theo Dan, an unused sub in four 2023 matches, only finally upping his minutes in the latter part of the Six Nations. It’s a situation to watch.
Debut-makers and comebacks
Five players made debuts during the 2024 Six Nations and the return for Borthwick was generous. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Chandler Cunningham-South definitely have the talent to go on and enjoy lengthy Test careers.
Ethan Roots is also an encouraging work in progress and while Fraser Dingwall had missed tackle issues coping with the Felix Jones blitz defence, he still produced a crucial try in the win over Wales before losing his place. This was gutsy.
That left Fin Smith, of whom we didn’t see enough to make a proper assessment. His time will eventually come, but the 10 jersey is very much the peak form Ford’s to keep at the minute.
Then there were the revivals, previously capped players who enjoyed a redemption in recent months. Head of the class was the bulked-up, more mature Tommy Freeman, who produced a string of fine displays that culminated in that 75th-minute try in France.
He was originally a Jones pick who was left on the shelf last year, but the growth that has also happened with players who were axed by Borthwick after he played them highlights that second chances currently do exist and that is a great situation to be in.
Henry Slade and Sam Underhill went from Rugby World Cup squad rejects to starting all five Six Nations matches, while there was also a bounce back from a third, Alex Dombrandt, who made the bench versus the Irish and French. He didn’t catch the eye with what he did on the pitch but his selection was evidence that doors aren’t bolted shut if you are prepared to suck up demotion and do the remedial work.
Alex Mitchell continued to prove Borthwick wrong for originally axing him for the World Cup, his speed of pass especially important in March, but the biggest example of a player proving the head coach wrong remained Ben Earl, who has now been nominated for the official player of the tournament award.
He’s been gigantic in building on his World Cup emergence after getting turfed out of the squad in February 2023 following two bench appearances. What it collectively shows is that Borthwick is a coach who is willing to make reassessments after a while. It’s a situation that bodes well for Steward 2.0 to fire up a comeback.
“Ultimately we made it too easy for them to score… a painful lesson… too many fundamental errors.”
– The Steve Borthwick media briefing reaction to seeing his England team well beaten by Scotland. #SCOvENG #EnglandRugby #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/iq11hBg1v4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 24, 2024
Numbers game
End-of-tournament statistics pumped out by the Six Nations make it clear some areas where England have improved since last year and where they must work harder. Here’s a taste of the good and not so good…
A year ago they were ranked fourth best for attacking entries into the 22 but they are now placed second which can be interpreted as a sign of attacking evolution even though they were more guarded with the ball, giving three fewer offloads – 18 – compared to 2023’s 21. In both seasons, England were ranked sixth for their number of offloads.
There was a marginal improvement in the tackle success, rising to 84.2 per cent from 82.9 but still only good enough to be the sixth-best tacklers, and last year’s second-place 18 breakdown steals decreased to a sixth-best 10.
It suggests there are plenty of work-ons for England to consider, which is good. If they can come within a kick of securing second place with so many areas of their game still in need of an uplift, they surely have the potential to improve and challenge for the title next year provided they concoct a winning plan to take down champions Ireland away first up on the 2025 schedule.
England are in a decent spot. In Steve we very much trust for now despite his ability for foot-in-mouth observations as happened in Lyon with his “we weren’t beaten tonight, we just ran out of time” gibberish.
ENGLAND IN THE 21-GAME BORTHWICK ERA – 58 players used; 26 backs/32 forwards
FULL-BACK (2) – Steward: 16 starts (includes 1 on wing); Furbank: 3 starts.
WING (9) – Daly: 11 starts +1 run as sub (includes 1 start at midfield); Malins: 7 starts + 1 run as sub; May: 6 starts; Freeman: 5 starts; Arundell: 4 starts + 2 runs as sub; Watson: 4 starts + 1 run as sub; Hassell-Collins: 2 starts; Feyi-Waboso: 1 start + 2 runs as sub + 1 unused sub; Cokanasiga: 1 start.
MIDFIELD (6) – Marchant: 10 starts + 3 runs as sub (includes 1 start on wing); Lawrence: 9 starts + 8 runs as sub; Tuilagi: 9 starts + 1 run as sub; Slade 9 starts + 2 runs as sub; Dingwall: 2 starts; Porter: 1 start.
OUT-HALF (4) – Ford: 10 starts + 6 runs as sub; Farrell: 10 starts + 1 run as sub (includes 2 starts at centre); M Smith: 6 starts + 10 runs as sub (includes 2 starts at full-back); F Smith: 0 starts + 2 runs as sub + 1 unused sub.
SCRUM-HALF (5) – Mitchell: 10 starts + 4 runs as sub; van Poortvliet: 6 starts + 1 run as sub; Care: 3 starts + 11 runs as sub; Youngs: 2 starts + 4 runs as sub; Spencer: 0 starts + 1 run as sub.
LOOSEHEAD (5) – Genge: 15 starts + 4 runs as sub; Marler: 5 starts + 9 runs as sub; Rodd: 1 start + 2 runs as sub; M Vunipola: 0 starts + 5 runs as sub; Obano 0 starts + 1 run as sub.
HOOKER (4) – George: 17 starts + 1 run as sub; Dan 3 starts + 9 runs as sub + 4 unused sub; Blamire: 1 start, Walker: 0 starts + 5 runs as sub + 2 unused sub.
TIGHTHEAD (3) – Cole: 8 starts + 9 runs as sub; Sinckler 7 starts + 5 runs as sub; Stuart 6 starts + 7 runs as sub.
LOCK (7) – Itoje: 19 starts; Chessum: 15 starts + 3 runs as sub (includes 2 starts at blindside); Martin: 6 starts + 5 runs as sub; Ribbans: 4 starts + 3 runs as sub; Isiekwe: 0 starts + 3 runs as sub; Hill: 0 starts + 2 runs as sub; Coles: 0 starts + 2 runs as sub.
FLANKER (10) – Ludlam: 8 starts + 3 runs as sub (includes 1 starts at No8); Lawes: 8 starts + 1 run as sub; J Willis: 6 starts + 2 runs as sub; Underhill: 6 starts; T Curry: 5 starts; Roots: 3 starts + 1 run as sub; B Curry: 1 start + 3 runs as sub; Pearson: 1 start; Cunningham-South: 0 starts + 4 runs as sub; T Willis: 0 starts + 1 run as sub.
NO8 (3) – Earl: 14 starts + 3 runs as sub (includes 3 starts at openside); Dombrandt: 6 starts + 2 runs as sub; B Vunipola: 3 starts + 4 runs as sub.
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.
5 Go to comments