After England’s defeat by Australia last Saturday, I wrote that Steve Borthwick’s side is not getting the key moments that define international rugby right.
When it matters most, England keep getting it badly wrong. Initially, I thought this was just an on-field issue. But, having reflected further, it is now clear to me that problems off-field are undoubtedly affecting things on it. It is why England are losing games narrowly as opposed to winning games.
The contrast with South Africa is stark. Springbok fans and players alike really do owe a huge amount to Rassie Erasmus. He has made some errors in the past, but he has single-handedly put South African rugby in this position. He has built a system that works for his team and prioritises South African rugby at international level.
Forget blitz defence issues for a moment. There are four key things English rugby is getting wrong. They need fixing to ensure the national side really does have the mindset of serial winners – one which is so easy to see in South Africa.
OVERSEAS PLAYER RULE
When Borthwick names his team to face back-to-back world champions South Africa on Saturday, no one can say it’s the best England side he can pick.
England are reeling after shipping 42 points against Australia in their defeat at Twickenham
Steve Borthwick is searching for answers after suffering back-to-back Autumn international defeats
That’s because of the RFU ruling which means only players at English clubs can play for England. The RFU defends the policy by saying there are only one or two players currently overseas that might be in consideration for selection.
Frankly, that insults the intelligence of every rugby fan. Even if were true, it shows complete ignorance to the impact one player can have on the fine margins of elite sport.
France-based Owen Farrell, Jack Willis and Henry Arundell would all be in my first-choice England 23. Can Marcus Smith really look in the mirror and say ‘I am the best English fly-half’ if Farell is not being considered?
South Africa’s success has been built on players flourishing overseas, especially here in England. Are the RFU chasing players from rugby league, like Herbie Farnworth, to become their version of new Australian sensation Joseph Sua’ali’i?
The RFU rule totally undermines Borthwick by robbing him of the chance to select his strongest side – something which should be sacrosanct for any Test coach.
How can he produce an England team with a no-excuse mindset capable of beating the best? I’ve been consistent in this: I would ditch the overseas rule immediately.
NO RFU ACCOUNTABILITY
In the wake of the Australia loss, I saw some sections of the media swallow the RFU briefing that the governing body was ‘100 per cent’ behind Borthwick. This is just so wrong.
Let me make it clear. I am behind Borthwick and the RFU do need to back him. He is a young coach and isn’t being given all the tools to help him.
All sporting organisations need to be transparent and accountable, but the RFU are specialists in the exact opposite. Who are the people who are ‘100 per cent’ behind Borthwick?
Borthwick is a young coach and isn’t being given all the tools to help him
The RFU’s chief executive Bill Sweeney should publicly responded to Danny Care’s revelations
If it is the chief executive Bill Sweeney, why does he not come out and say so? English rugby is being run by faceless and nameless committees.
Who were the people who gave Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones a new contract despite what we now know has been confirmed about the regime he was running, thanks to Danny Care’s book?
Why has Sweeney not publicly responded to Care’s revelations?
If there will be a review into this month’s November matches, whatever happens in the next fortnight, who will be those who undertake it? There must be total transparency.
ALL TOO COSY
Borthwick has talked about the players in the England squad being part of the national setup for the next decade. This is entirely the wrong narrative – it creates a cosy culture where players know they are not going to be challenged.
It is not just Borthwick’s rhetoric that has played a part in this. My view is that when Borthwick confirmed enhanced player contracts for 17 key England players, all that did was rubberstamp the fact these men are guaranteed international selection. International players should always feel like the next game should be their last.
Even Twickenham has lost the edge it once had and has become too cosy for away teams who now arrive with too much confidence at the prospect of a famous win.
Borthwick has talked about the players in the England squad being part of the national setup for the next decade – this is entirely the wrong narrative
IT’S NOW OR NEVER!
Test rugby is 100 per cent about today. Not tomorrow, next month, or next year. Jones fell foul of this at the end of his tenure. At a time when England were losing consistently, his narrative was that the long-term goal was the 2023 World Cup.
He never made it that far, and Borthwick needs to learn from that. So too do the RFU and England’s players. You cannot win every game and success does not come in a straight line.
But you can see the teams that are on the right path do not accept compromise and have a sense of urgency and purpose. They do not accept losing in any shape or form. England have been happy to do so in recent years, all in the name of development. I can see it happening again with this team.
Ahead of England’s A game with Australia on Sunday, RFU director of performance Conor O’Shea spoke about the young players coming through as ‘generational’.
That is all very well – and hopefully he is correct – but what about the here and now? English rugby cannot always be talking about the future. The only game that matters is the next one.
English rugby cannot always be talking about the future, the only game that matters is the next
After a dismal loss to Scotland, England fronted up and beat Ireland at home in a terrific performance that remains by far their best under Borthwick.
Yet since then, a win over Japan aside, England have lost five very winnable games since then.
English rugby needs to find a winning mindset on the field of play and in the boardroom, otherwise the same patterns of failure will inevitably be repeated.
I am looking for a massive backlash from the team and coach against South Africa. They have the talent to win. But do they have the mindset? England by one!
