England’s World Cup preparations are in tatters after a forgettable match in Dublin on Saturday. Paul Williams the referee did not help matters by being ever present with the whistle but England were awful again. Ireland who weren’t great either, had to do very little for their convincing win.
Most England fans will be asking what has Steve Borthwick been doing with his squad these last two months. Once again, we saw literally nothing from England in attack. The familiar problems around discipline have got worse, not better with Billy Vunipola, the latest to get sent off for a high tackle.
England are down to 14 men in Dublin as Billy Vunipola sees 🔴
This is the third red for England in as many matches against Ireland. This could also be a huge problem for England in France with Billy named as the only number 8 in the squad.
Thoughts on the decision? 💭… pic.twitter.com/4UBdXFwDtb
— The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (@GoodBadRugby) August 19, 2023
England is going backwards not forwards writes Charlie Inglefield from Last Word on Rugby.
Disappointing England look rudderless and predictable
England have problems in all facets of their game. Their discipline on Saturday was not to international standard. Billy Vunipola now joins Owen Farrell after a deserved red card in worrying about his chances of starting the World Cup. There were countless stupid penalties to go with basic handling errors showing no improvement since England stumbled and bumbled against Wales in Cardiff three weeks ago. Ireland was poor by their high standards yet they had an excuse – given that most of their players had not played since the end of last season.
England’s World Cup preparations are in tatters and everyone associated with England rugby will be fearing that first clash against Argentina.
What must be worrying for England rugby fans, is that Borthwick’s team looked rudderless and predictable. There is no spark out wide with quality players like Anthony Watson and Elliot Daly having more chance of catching a cold than getting the ball in their hands. There were no offloads, no spreading of the ball, and George Ford’s kicking game was miles off against Ireland. It was depressing to watch because England looks like they are getting worse, not better.
It is hard to see where England go next. Borthwick’s game plan is so one dimensional; which is fine if the forwards are winning the set-piece and collisions but, they are not. England’s basics are erratic and the halves are kicking the leather off the ball without a plan B. England are surely better than this and it shines a light on how disastrous the last four years have been inside the corridors of the RFU.
Marcus Smith was England’s best player
Marcus Smith came on in the 69th minute and looked more dangerous (out of position at full back) than the rest of the England team put together. That is a sad fact for England and their attacking intentions. England look terrified to give the ball some air. Smith was the only player who was willing to give it a go and yet Borthwick did not want to use him. Again. To England’s credit there was some fight in them in the last quarter with the likes of Danny Care, Smith and Theo Dan finally sniping away at the Irish defence. But, in keeping with their attack, they never looked like crossing the line from out wide.
On the never ending subject of Smith, George Ford had a torrid afternoon with the book on his return to England’s starting line-up. Ford remains a key player in the squad, especially when he guided England to an unlikely victory against Wales last weekend. In Dublin, he failed to make the most of his opportunity. Ford’s tactical kicking, normally so consistent was off on Saturday, allowing the Irish back three a free reign to do what they wanted. A missed kick in front of the posts, with England only 7-3 down also blotted Ford’s copybook.
Manu Tuilagi and Theo Dan deserve honourable mentions for their endeavour. But other than that it is very difficult to pick out individuals who shone in Dublin. In keeping with England’s horrible 2023, the positive narrative coming out of the England camp is not being backed up by performances on the pitch.
England’s World Cup preparations are in tatters
England’s game against Fiji next Saturday is the last chance Borthwick has of giving the England fans something to cheer. Fiji will not be easy pushovers. They are incredible athletes who will thrive off England’s current kicking game.
Borthwick has a huge job on his hands this week to get his England team on the same hymn sheet, starting with the attack. It is criminal to see talents like Henry Arundell, Smith, and Anthony Watson chasing overcooked kicks all day. They must get the ball in their hands and therefore Smith looms as the one spark Borthwick has to make that happen. Based on the last eight months it will be Farrell or Ford that he will call upon.
Questions have to be asked on why England are so poor at the moment. England’s World Cup preparations are in tatters. This is a conversation that one normally has during the post-mortem of a World Cup. England are launching their most experienced team ever but look rudderless. In the final throes of Eddie Jones’ era, England looked shackled. They still do.
Players seem terrified of having a go on the kick-returns and in open play. Offloads are non-existent as are the support lines when a rare line break is made. The list can go on and on, there is of course a degree of sympathy for Borthwick. He has been thrown into this role and expected to turn England into world beaters in no time. However, Borthwick has had the last two months to get his desired game-plan and strategy in place. Judging by the last three weeks, we are still waiting on what that plan is.
Quick adjustments for Fiji clash might resolve inner confidence
Twickenham will revolt if they see another kickathon. Borthwick surely has to galvanise his team to ‘have a go’ against Fiji. Most England fans would take a try or two that is not set-piece, or forward driven even if Fiji win. Yes Fiji can definitely win next Saturday. Does Borthwick have the courage to drop certain favourites to cater for a more dynamic style of rugby?
The likes of Arundell and Smith should be deployed to start next weekend. Yes, like all mavericks they carry a certain risk but, England rugby is in crisis mode at the moment. Stakeholders want to see some kind of uplift and entertainment to carry some ‘crumbs of positivity’ to France in three weeks time.
England’s World Cup preparations are in tatters currently and the pressure is increasing on Borthwick.
“Main photo credit – Bixentro, FlickR Creative Commons”
