All the headlines this week are around Marcus Smith taking Owen Farrell’s jersey. Rightly so, as it is a brave call made by England coach, Steve Borthwick. International coaches, particularly England’s, are paid the big bucks to make these selection decisions. For a traditionally risk-averse coach, this is a significant change in direction for Borthwick. […] READ MORE
Author: Charlie Inglefield
England takes huge step forward but Owen Farrell question remains
England took a huge step forward by beating Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. Steve Borthwick will know a whole lot more about his team, particularly his forwards, who are growing in confidence with every game. England’s back row was superb with Alex Dombrandt, Jack Willis, and Lewis Ludlam all having outstanding games. Wales was disappointing […] READ MORE
Owen Farrell must guide England victory through Wales ‘backlash’
England’s record in Cardiff is not a pretty one as of late. A last-gasp Elliot Daly try in 2016 has been the only England victory in Wales since 2011. This coming Saturday England will face a fired-up Wales team desperate to get their Six Nations campaign up and running. Any notion that England will face […] READ MORE
England’s forwards get the job done over Italy in men’s 2023 Six Nations
England’s 31-14 win over Italy on Sunday had Steve Borthwick written all over it. England’s pack was dominant up front, granite-like in defense, and with high energy in the kick-chase. Borthwick’s forwards got the job done and there was a lot to be happier about a week on from the Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland. […] READ MORE
Calcutta Cup: England’s experienced players must step up
England was 20-12 up going into the final quarter of a pulsating Calcutta Cup clash. Ellis Genge had thundered over and Twickenham was rocking. It was a moment where really good teams get the job done. England then dropped the restart and a few minutes later Scottish scrum-half Ben White later cantered over. It was […] READ MORE
Calcutta Cup: Desperate England to edge out Scotland
The 2023 Calcutta Cup is set for one of its most intriguing battles for many a year. England has a new coach, a seemingly new approach and they desperately need a win. Scotland have been the perennial underachiever with Gregor Townsend at the helm. So, who wins it? It is such a difficult one to […] READ MORE
Veterans may return for Steve Borthwick’s first Six Nations squad
England coach Steve Borthwick will soon pick his eagerly awaited first Six Nations squad. There may be an ‘understandable’ leaning toward his Leicester Tigers England representatives plus, the return of a couple of veterans. Anthony Watson and Dan Cole are among several veterans who might be considered. Charlie Inglefield looks to pick a possible first […] READ MORE
Sacked Eddie Jones – an enigma who changed England rugby
Eddie Jones should go down as one of England’s greatest coaches. Indisputable, even as the RFU sacked Eddie Jones overnight. That should not be his epitaph though. Let’s not forget that no England coach has a higher win percentage than Eddie – 73% -and that includes his nemesis, Sir Clive Woodward. Eddie Jones was an […] READ MORE
Autumn International Series: Springboks lay down World Cup marker
The Springboks have roared back into being one of the favorites for the World Cup next year. They utterly destroyed England at Twickenham on Saturday despite being at half-strength. They join Ireland and France as genuine contenders. There were upsets, led by Georgia’s memorable win over Wales, last-minute thrillers, and plenty of controversies. Charlie Inglefield […] READ MORE
Autumn International Series: England rugby in disarray after Springbok thrashing
South Africa’s Autumn International Series 27-13 demolition of England on Saturday at Twickenham was a brutal reality check for English rugby. England were completely dominated in every department. To further compound what was one of the worst displays by an England rugby team in many a year, the Springboks were down to 14 men going […] READ MORE