It may not be the sweet taste of the success of Six Nations that lasts on the lips of England, but the final scents of an upcoming age campaign are nevertheless pleasant. A record win in Cardiff; a first four-winning championship in five years; A backup of the belief that Steve Borthwick is sending his side in the right direction. In the end, the presentation Statafernalia prepared for an English victory was not necessary, but there is much to be optimistic about.
“It’s a wonderful group of players,” head coach Borthwick beamed after the match. “They are desperate to get better. They want to learn. I am delighted. Did we see in their growth? There is probably a patch of about 15 minutes in the second half of Ireland where we would go ‘we wish we could rewrite it’. But I said we can’t do that. We need to learn as much as possible and step forward. ”
After that defeat of Ireland, with England considering the whys and where from a seventh straight to the opposition of the top level, Ben Earl Bullish was that the dam would soon burst and the victories would flow. It was a tremendous prediction. Congratulations and picking were needed, especially in the Scotland match where Borthwick and his group admitted that they were not near their best. Even in Wales’ ten-try-bustle, the grove of the green remained-the throw of the rugby gods dice fell friendly for England after a few difficult breaks last year.
Inferior to France, they remain clear, but the pieces of a successful side are perhaps in its place. For the first time in a long time, England establishes a clear identity, goes hard at the collapse, quickly turns in transition and tries to dominate in the air. Fin Smith appears the right flying half for such a strategy; After spending the time between 2010 and 2017 to desperately search for an open flank, Borthwick was able to call on four sincere options in Cardiff, even without the injured Sam Underhill and Jack Willis.
It will take six months for the England’s elite to meet again massively. Like most obsessive rugby, Borthwick has spent the past few weeks out to sketch its British and Irish Lions group, taking into account the options that Andy Farrell has available and how many of the tour party can offer England. The couple is in regular contact, although not about England’s variety of assistants, which looks like he will be named on March 26.
“Andy has some brilliant difficult decisions to make because there are so many good players in the area,” Borthwick said. “But it would benefit English rugby to have as much on those lions as much as possible.
“I did the exercise about ten times, where I sat there and wrote which players I think was going to go – and I ended up with a different number every time. Ollie Lawrence was one of them, so I was really disappointed for him that he wasn’t going to have the opportunity. Hopefully there are no more injuries to any players. ”
Maro Itoje was spoken as a possible captain by Borthwick Na contest-the captaincy call between him and Caelan Doris will be very close. Except for the captain, they may not be completely out of the blue, but figures like Will Stuart and Ben Curry could have done little more to improve their chances. Tommy Freeman also looks a better option to travel after showing his versatility with a strong first start on the middle. “It’s everyone’s dream, isn’t it?” The 24-year-old man said about the prospect of a trip below. “This is the pinnacle, the top of rugby. It would be a nice magical thing. ‘
The other benefit of losing a significant number of his group is the acceleration in the development of the upcoming harvest. England play four games during the Lions summer, three fully spotted tests against Argentina (twice) and the United States joined an ‘English XV’ meeting with France. A similar trip in 2017 played an important role in the development of Eddie Jones’ side, with Tom Curry and Sam Underhill unearthed and a number of others having a greater responsibility in the group.
The revival of this English team started last year, but there is a lot of knocking on the door – almost literally, it seems. “We have players outside our squad who want me, my SMS, opportunities. There will be opportunities for those players.
“What I would tell them is to play very well for their clubs between now and the end of the season. My coaches will start planning on the event on Thursday this week as a player leaves for the Lions, so we have two players in each position where you have the depth. And that’s why these players will have to play very well for their clubs, and now have to choose the matter for selection.
‘Argentina is a top-quality side. In recent seasons, they have beaten New Zealand, beat Australia, beat South Africa. We know what formidable challenge it will be, it is a brilliant journey. ‘
Henry Arundell is likely to be one of the things considered, with the 22-year-old back available to Bath. Borthwick also looked from far with interest on Friday night, while the U20s of England suffered a setback and missed a big Slam with a shock defeat against an energetic Wales. After winning the world title last year, the hope is still great that a gold group could form the basis of the side in the future.
Among those who are highly regarded, Locks Tom Burrow, Olyamide Sodes and Junior Kpoku, although the latter is not available Borthwick while being contracted on 92, along with Scrum Half Archie McParland. Hooker Kepu Tuipulotu, meanwhile, looks a star at senior level sooner than later. The decision to be made is whether players of real promise would benefit more from another bid on the world championships in the age of Italy, rather than wearing tackle bags in South America.
But a bright young thing is already threatening to give Borthwick a real headache. The confidence and chutzpah shown by Henry Pollock on the debut in Cardiff felt special, but reflected the attitude of a new generation of which his head coach wants to see more.
“I’m really hopeful with the next group, it’s not rare,” he said. “I’ve talked about the shirt that feels heavy before, where players put on the shirt and won’t let’s make a mistake, don’t do anything wrong.”
“I don’t think Henry is aware of it. He just arrives and wants to win. Come on and want the ball. And if there is anything I can change and develop with this team through the next generation, it is that they have to be turned on by the shirt. Bring you all your personality, bring all your skills, and he did it today. I’m really hopeful that this group under the 20s just entering, is used to winning, used to playing together and just wanting to get the ball in their hands, just like him. ‘
