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LONG READ Mick Cleary: The key selection questions Steve Borthwick has to answer

Mick Cleary: The key selection questions Steve Borthwick has to answer
1 week ago

We are careering towards another blockbuster Autumn Series where England will have to go toe-to-toe with the Southern Hemisphere might of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, with a perilous run-out against Japan also pencilled in and with the Gallagher Premiership finally up and running, Steve Borthwick has a canvas to etch in his England starters. They are myriad selection posers already…

Do England persist with Jamie George as Captain?

Yes. We know that Theo Dan is the coming thing. In fact, George himself will be the first to tell you that Dan has well and truly arrived. How could he not? Dan’s progress through the ranks mirrors that of George who had to pick the splinters from his own backside after so much time on various benches understudying the likes of John Smit, Schalk Brits and Dylan Hartley. There is a time and a place for rightful succession and in England terms it is not yet. If George were crocked, then there would not be a qualm in the land about handing the No 2 shirt to Dan (as, of course, has been the case). But captaincy matters. Mood matters. A sense of team matters. George has brought all that to England, as Hartley did in an entirely different way for Eddie Jones’ England. There have been times (although not of late) when Siya Kolisi has not been the best available flanker for South Africa but any form issues have been hugely outweighed by the benefit the Springbok’s leadership brings. Let’s call it the (Mike) Brearley effect, the ability to draw from others what mere mortals might not be able to manage.

Jamie George
Jamie George knows Theo Dan is snapping at his heels but his leadership and experience is invaluable to England (Photo Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

George, in his empathetic, understated way, fulfils that role for this England squad. For the moment. There will be a tipping point when the wind that is blowing in his favour has a shift of direction. Remember, England are far from a proven item. There has been an uptick in fortunes. Or seemingly so. In truth, this improvement amounts in tangible terms to one single victory, the 23-22 win over Six Nations champions, Ireland, at Twickenham. That’s it in a nutshell. Sure, Steve Borthwick’s side ran France close, did credibly in New Zealand (but are the All Blacks what they were? Ans: No) and have a bit more guts and gumption about them but trophies are not handed out for promising style marks. Test rugby is not Strictly Come Dancing. Let’s see how England perform in November. Let’s see then how real and lasting their upturn is. Consider, too, that there has been upheaval behind the scenes with the departures of coaches, Felix Jones and Aled Waters. England need stability. And that’s why they need Jamie George.

Who are the starting half-backs against New Zealand on November 2?

Ben Spencer and George Ford. Or that is how it looks after one round of the Premiership. As markers go, it is not a bad shout. And all the more so if we dismiss the ageist objection. Spencer is 32 while Ford is a year younger. In the eyes of some, they will be old bones by the time the next World Cup rolls around in Australia in 2027. Other, more perceptive eyes, might note that Richie McCaw and Dan Carter were respectively 34 and 33 when the All Blacks lived up to their billing as the most complete side in the world of that generation when lifting the Webb Ellis trophy at Twickenham in 2015. The World Cup is for another day. Spencer and Ford have the early whip hand, notably so in Ford’s case given that he did not go toe-to-toe with the incumbent No 10, Marcus Smith, in Sunday’s grinding 12-11 win over Harlequins, the London club opting for an early use of the new club-country love-in by resting their playmaker.

George Ford
George Ford proved once again against Harlequins that he can steer a side to victory in a multitude of ways (Photo David Rogers/Getty Images)

There will be a lot more of that to come, the new deal being something of a boon for Borthwick and something of a bugbear for ever-loyal, ever put-upon club supporters. In the excitable debate as to which Smith, Marcus or Fin, represents the best bet for England’s future, the claims of Ford are often as well as ignorantly downplayed. It has ever been thus, Ford skirmishing with his schoolboy pal, Owen Farrell, for the right to be England’s starting No 10. Time and again, Ford fought his way into that shirt. Time and again, he delivered. Nothing has changed. The Sale fly-half has to be front and centre of any selection conversation. So too Spencer who once more produced a match-shaping, match-winning performance for his club, Bath, on the opening night of the season. There are only six caps to his name. There ought to be more.

Who is the man to step into Courtney Lawes’ sizeable shoes?

Courtney Lawes maybe. If only. The former Saint has ruled himself out of England contention although, intriguingly, not the Lions. Get him on that plane Faz Snr, as long as his form for Brive stays at the elevated level it has been for the past decade and beyond. Northampton are already missing him and so too will England. There is a notable gap left by his absence, one that is as critical to England’s future well-being as any position on the field. A blindside flanker may not draw the headlines of a wing or fly-half or even a hard-scrummaging tighthead. But you only have to run your eye over a roll-call of front-line No 6s down the years, from a latter-day Michael Jones in All Black colours through to a Serge Betsen or Juan Smith or Jerome Kaino, to realise just how pivotal a role a blindside plays. In many ways, a No 6 is the conscience of a team, a tone-setter – honest, uncompromising, uncomplaining, unfussy, getting on with the job for the sake of the team above all else. Think Richard Hill and you’re there.

Ollie Chessum George Martin
Ollie Chessum and George Martin will be considered to fill the gaping Courtney Lawes-sized hold at 6 (Photo Hans van der Valk/Getty Images)

It used to be a given that a backrow had to have balance – a flier, a digger and a ball-player. I see nothing wrong with that mantra although teams have every right to shuffle resources according to availability and game-plan. The Tom Curry/Sam Underhill Kamikaze Kids arrangement favoured by Eddie Jones did a job for England in 2019. In theory, it could again, although my own preference would be to see some sort of relaxation/redefinition of France-based players so that Jack Willis could come into the equation. Harlequins’ Chandler Cunningham-South has risen well to the challenge of playing test rugby, a good addition to the ranks. Ethan Roots is also in the mix while there is much to savour in the prospect of Leicester hard-hitters, George Martin and Ollie Chessum, doing a number for England in lock-cum-back-row roles. Lawes is a hard act to follow. England, though, have contenders queueing up.

Comments

13 Comments
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Bull Shark 9 days ago

There has been an uptick in fortunes. Or seemingly so. In truth, this improvement amounts in tangible terms to one single victory, the 23-22 win over 6 Nations champions, Ireland, at Twickenham.

The uptick must, also, partly be attributed to it seeming like England is on the upward curve following on a 42% and 56% win ratio in 2022 and 2023. And a decent showing at the RWC.


In reality England is going to have another long, dry spell if current form is anything to go by.


I can’t see them doing any better in the short term than their 50% win rate so far in 2024. There’s no substance to this team to suggest anything otherwise. An unstable coaching environment isn’t going to help much either.


And debating who’s the best option at 10 when they’re all over the hill, seems ridiculous.


I’d start picking a wildly younger side across the park and really start rebuilding for 2027. Surely the premiership clubs has talent worth drawing on before the 6 Nations starts? At the very least against Japan and Australia? You might lose these games anyway - so you may as well take a few gambles in selection.


France are going to win the 6 Nations next year. Beating everyone along the way.


Someone’s going to have to be bold to keep up with them over the next 3 years. And so far it isn’t England. Nor Ireland.

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fl 8 days ago

this is a really very stupid comment

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AA 9 days ago

It's time stop the wrangling.

If anyone saw the Sale game on Sunday and Honestly say Ford is england class must have watched a different game.

He just shovels the ball on and gives hospital passes .

Where is the ambition to make a break .not one attempt.

Ford did not score a single try last year .not one . Pathetic from a 10 .

He was 10 at leicester when they were bottom and would have been relegated if not for Sarries.

Marcus has already scored 9 tries for England in 30 odd games. Ford same but around a hundred games.

England are trying to ditch the boring kick chase so beloved by Ford.

Spencer too was electric on Saturday and if Mitchell is better then ........

England have moved up a gear and Ford, while experienced has been left behind and is at the end of his career.

Time for fresh blood and give them a lengthy time to fit in .

PLEASE !!!!!!!

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fl 8 days ago

Ford was 10 at Leicester when they won the league


and England normally score more tries when Ford plays than when Smith plays


I think you just don't understand how rugby attacks work. Smith runs a lot, but doesn't do a very good job of putting his teammates into space

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Tom 9 days ago

Mitchell is a huge loss. We don't have another 9 in his league. Spencer hasn't performed for England in many opportunities, Randall can't kick and JVP slows our ruck speed down to the point that our only option is to box kick ad nauseum.

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fl 9 days ago

George definitely makes most sense as hooker and as captain.


And George Ford is definitely the best option at 10. He offers far, far more than Smith.


At 9, JVP is fast becoming England's most underrated player. Personally I'd start Mitchell, have JVP on the bench, and then give the 3rd spot in the squad to Randall or Porter.


At 6, I'm a big fan of Roots. He's not at all flashy, but did a really good job in the 6 nations. CCS for me is the perfect bench player, given he can cover 4, 6, and 8, but seems to struggle with playing 80 minutes. Chessum I'd also have on the bench for the time being.


For me the most interesting/important selections will be at centre and prop. Presumably Borthwick will pick Lawrence and Dingwall, with Northmore possibly squeezing in as well but they are all outside centres, and we really need to find a replacement for Tuilagi at 12. Personally I'd like to see either Ojomoh or Will Butt given an opportunity, but a case could also still be made for Dan Kelly.


At prop I think a lot of people are expecting Opoku-Fordjour to come straight in as a tighthead, but given Joe Heyes and Will Stuart both seem to be in good form and Dan Cole remains undroppable, things might not be so simple. I actually think there could be a case for including Opoku-Fordjour as a loosehead, but that would also lead to Bevan Rodd being deservedly dropped, and would probably lock Obano out of the squad for the forseeable future.

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Bob Salad II 9 days ago

George Ford is definitely the best option at 10. He offers far, far more than Smith.

Tries scored?

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MT 9 days ago

I had to Google that Ben Spencer is 32. Thought it was a mistake.


Englands biggest problem is tight-head prop. Dan Cole cannot keep going, Will Stuart doesnt bring his Bath form to England and Joe Heyes hasnt kicked on as hoped. The lads at Sale look good, hopefully they keep improving.


The England team that played Ireland needs more run-outs. Bringing back a fit Genge and Chessum and keeping the two back-rowers on the bench - two out of Ted Hill, Barbeary and CCS - would do me to play NZ and SA. A good few changes for Australia should be enough and a win against Japan is a definite requirement even with a B team. I think we will get 3 out of 4. Fingers crossed.


Ford fly-half v NZ and SA, M Smith v Australia and Fin Smith v Japan. Thats how I would do it. Maybe have Marcus as the starting 15 v Japan too, with Ford and Furbank on the bench for that one.

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Tom 9 days ago

Switching your playmaker every game depending on who you're playing isn't a good idea. International sides don't get too much time together, you need consistency of selection especially at 10. Top sides don't do this, they pick their best 15.


Appreciate Borthwick may not know who his best 15 is but he should back one of the 10s who fit how he wants to play and give the others time off the bench.

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Terry24 9 days ago

Ford especially against SA. NZ unlocked the rush defense twice in the first match v SA in Johannesburg. Someone of Ford's experience needed to leverage that.

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