- By Chris Jones
- ` Rugby Union Correspondent
38 minutes ago
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Steve Borthwick has named Jamie George as his new England captain in the absence of Owen Farrell
When Steve Borthwick named his squad for the 2023 Six Nations – his first as England manager – he had been in charge for just four weeks.
A year later, Borthwick is firmly below the Twickenham table after 16 friendlies, a five-month World Cup season and a respectable third place in France.
“We know so much more about the players,” Borthwick said Wednesday as he announced his revamped squad.
With seven of the World Cup semi-final starting eleven unavailable and some never returning, this feels like the start of a new era for England – as it has for many of their rivals.
But Borthwick herself admits her Six Nations form hasn't been good enough of late, with a win record of 40% in the last three championships and 50% in the last six. There is great pressure to change this.
There is new leadership, possibly a new style of play and almost certainly new personnel.
So what can fans expect from Borthwick's England in the coming months?
staff
While the squad certainly has a fresh look with seven uncapped players, Borthwick has been careful not to sacrifice experience. 36-year-old Dan Cole and 33-year-old Joe Marler will once again be the mainstays of the England scrum. Jamie George captains Hooker at 33, while 37-year-old scrum-half Danny Care has four caps shy of a century.
But there will be new faces in the England jersey in the Six Nations, most likely in the back and back three. While Ben Earl should start in eighth place after a great World Cup, there are options for the not yet used Tom Pearson and Ethan Roots on the wing.
Although Elliot Daly and Freddie Steward remain on the sidelines since the World Cup, at least one wing spot appears to be wide open for fellow internationals Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Northampton's Tom Roebuck or Tommy Freeman, who has three caps.
“Those 36 players can all play Test rugby for England, we should be clear about that,” Borthwick told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“But do I think having a mix of experience is an advantage? Yes, I think that's important. Do I think we have some great young players moving forward? In any case.”
style
England adopted a territorial and kick pressure plan in France, particularly in the semi-final against South Africa. According to the World Rugby website, they scored on 93% of their possession against the Springboks, an exceptional statistic even taking into account the wet conditions.
However, this plan was executed almost perfectly, with England's kickers extremely precise and their wingers brilliant in the air. But do England need to develop more strength in attack, particularly when the players at their disposal are behind the scrum?
Borthwick says “without question” the fixture list will be adjusted while relying on the strong foundations laid in France.
“There are a few things I’m looking at [with regards a gameplan],” he explained.
“One is the players you have at your disposal. The second part is almost the team's DNA and understanding what is the basis for the team's success in the past. And it is very clear what has been the basis of England’s success in the past.”
“And the third thing is what wins in the competition you enter. International rugby is different to club rugby and the Six Nations is different to the World Cup.”
“My job is to bring these things together and give the players real clarity. Get on the field and bring all your talents to bear. My job is to give them a real plan to follow.”
guide
England's leadership group also needed an overhaul with captain Owen Farrell and vice-captain Courtney Lawes unavailable. Another World Cup vice-captain, prop Ellis Genge, is set to take part in the opening game in Italy on Saturday 3 February.
Experienced Saracen George is a popular choice as captain, an impressive figure on and off the field and fully deserving of this honour.
Borthwick has pushed him to be his authentic self and despite the vacuum left by Farrell and Lawes, the coach says he is encouraged by the way the leaders have developed in recent months, by mentioning Genge, Care, Marler and lock Maro Itoje by name on Wednesday.
“There will be a different dynamic and it will be a dynamic that will help build this team,” Borthwick added.
England's draw is – once again – pleasing, with Italy going first and a Welsh team in transition at Twickenham a week later. As in 2023, they managed to avoid tournament favorites France and Ireland until the fourth and fifth rounds.
But while last year saw a departure from the seven-year Eddie Jones regime, this is now firmly Borthwick's England team. And with so many nations going through post-World Cup changes, there is an opportunity for England, Scotland or Wales to break the Irish and French duopoly.
Since 2020, England have not even had a chance of winning the Six Nations title. It feels overdue to be back on the hunt.
Comments are closed.