The two most impressive teams this past week in European Professional Rugby Club (EPRC) competition were perhaps the Harlequin F.C. and the Exeter Chiefs. And in those games, Marcus Smith and Will Joseph were superb in Harlequins’ scintillating win over Racing 92 in Paris. On Saturday afternoon, the Chiefs were equally impressive in downing mighty […] READ MORE
Tag: Marcus Smith
England rugby’s starting team for the 2024 Six Nations
The 2024 Six Nations is just around the corner and so starts the four-year cycle for all teams. For England and Steve Borthwick, the foundations have been laid by an encouraging semi-final performance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Charlie Inglefield asks what might this team look like through the eyes of Borthwick? And whether […] READ MORE
England Rugby duo of Alex Mitchell and George Martin could get them to the top
Any way you want to break it down, Steve Borthwick has got England rugby believing again. And it is with the potential England Rugby duo of Alex Mitchell and George Martin hinting a more time near to the top of the Test arena. A semi-final spot which could and should have been a final shoot-out […] READ MORE
England needs to play the game of their lives
England will not lack any motivation on Saturday evening when they come up against the Springboks. The 2019 World Cup final defeat to South Africa still stings for many in this squad and that is motivation enough. The challenge for England is that the 2023 version of the Springboks is better than the 2019 vintage. […] READ MORE
Steve Borthwick has given England the tools to unleash
England’s management have made two huge selection calls for the quarter-final clash against Fiji on Saturday. The traditionally conservative Steve Borthwick has picked Marcus Smith over Freddie Steward at full-back. Secondly, the Ford/Farrell partnership has gone with Farrell being entrusted with the fly-half duties. Borthwick has given England the tools to unleash now the team […] READ MORE
England’s win over Samoa must not cover up serious problems
Western Samoa were rightly devastated having lost a game they should have won. England were woeful for most of this match but somehow found a way to win. That is the positive that everyone associated with England Rugby needs to hold onto as they stumble into the quarter-finals. The reality is that Steve Borthwick and […] READ MORE
Henry Arundell and Marcus Smith boost Borthwick’s England attacking options
England’s 71-0 rout of Chile on Saturday was predictable but nonetheless a big confidence booster to the squad. Henry Arundell and Marcus Smith in particular made the most of their opportunities. With respect to Chile; who never stopped trying, they were never going to match England’s power. Sterner tests await for England but it would […] READ MORE
England won ugly yet momentum growing; RWC Pool D
England eventually found a way through a determined but under-par Japanese outfit on Sunday evening. England won ugly yet momentum is growing, with two wins over the pool’s two toughest opponents, Argentina and Japan. It was not pretty but, successful World Cup campaigns rarely are, and England ultimately might have one foot in the quarter-finals. […] READ MORE
England v Argentina: rich rewards come at a risk on September 9
After England’s first ever loss to Fiji at Twickenham, confidence has plummeted ahead of the World Cup. Now with fears of a Group Stage exit ever-present, the England v Argentina fixture sparks great anxiety for English fans. Below is a playing XV which offers a different approach. There is definitely some controversial calls enclosed, yet […] READ MORE
England Rugby in disarray after historic loss to Fiji
England Rugby is in disarray after a disastrous loss to Fiji on Saturday afternoon. All the credit should go to Fiji first and foremost, they thoroughly deserved to win. A historic win, on par with Western Samoa defeating Wales in 1991. From an England perspective, it does not get much worse. Charlie Inglefield wrote last […] READ MORE