England return to Twickenham this weekend for the third time in successive Six Nations rounds in the hope of continuing their unbeaten home run.
But while they head there as a team in contention for the title, scratchy wins against France and Scotland have sparked much talk from players and pundits over what to make of England’s recent performances.
From the former, whose key objective is to win and compete, there have been complaints and exasperated comments fired back at some of the latter, who have criticised their unconvincing displays.
Ellis Genge was unimpressed with the negative reaction, claiming not to understand the barbs flying from ‘out-of-touch’ retired players aimed at a team who won back the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five years.
I would agree with him that some of the comments have been over the top. I would disagree, however, that England are playing to the best of their ability, and Genge’s acknowledgement of the ‘Twickenham boo’ is testament to that.
Elite sport is, without doubt, about winning, and this certainly backs up Genge’s point about why should the England team care if they are getting the job done?
The problem is the conversation is more complex than that. The level of frustration is not based on winning or losing, it is based on the knowledge this England team are not playing to the sum of their parts. Watch any of England’s XV in action for their club and there is a far greater number of passes, more risk and desire to attack.
Of course, it is way too simple to compare stats between Premiership rugby and the international game. The latter comes with much more complexity and challenges. The frustration, though, seems to be coming from the belief England are being forcibly restricted.
Just look at the stats showing a lack of centre touches, and that your fly-half is making more tackles then passes over the course of 80 minutes. The suffocating tactics, on both the opposition and the England team, work if Steve Borthwick’s men can defend. However, those watching see a misalignment between England’s desire to attack and their current defensive capability.
On too many occasions in their most recent match, England were opened up easily by Scotland.
The contrast between England and their opponents continues to play into the supporters’ mindset, with spectators wondering why England cannot attack in a similar way to the team they’re facing?
If opponents can suffocate England defensively, forcing them to kick and then themselves attack with pomp, why can Borthwick’s side not do the same in return? The gulf in stats was enormous versus Scotland, and underlines why supporters and ex-players are questioning England.
Genge is right – winning always matters in international sport. Ask any player which changing room they would rather sit in after 80 minutes, and the answer is obvious.
Yet there is a line from Gladiator that always sticks – ‘Are you not entertained, is this not why you are here?’ – which sums up the current English dilemma.
Maximus has won, defeated the opposition, but ruthlessly, without guile and skill, leaving a crowd short of excitement. The question comes back to that posed by Genge – what more do you want?
Yes, England are there to win. The problem is those outside the Colosseum walls do want more than they are being offered at the moment. Maybe Genge and his team-mates should heed the advice given to Maximus by Proximo: ‘Win the crowd, and you’ll win your freedom.’
Marcus Smith axe raises more questions than answers
When a stalwart of English rugby hits 100 caps it is often the main talking point heading into that weekend’s fixture.
Jamie George is about to join the illustrious group that is the hundred club. But this is not the story. The issue is, and it seems a weekly occurrence, there’s a selection elephant in the room, and again it is about Marcus Smith.
Against Italy, it is simple to say the hosts should dominate and attack without fear. But England have shown little if no interest in throwing caution to the wind. So, in comes Elliot Daly for Smith. It is a selection likely to be based more on Daly’s ability under the high ball than on what each player does going forward.
Smith had a tough day defensively against Scotland and Steve Borthwick and his data-driven team will know this. Although Smith has been the bright spark in the attack in the last 18 months, his inability to do the basics required of an international full-back last time out has hindered not only his chances of showcasing his attacking ability, but also of securing a Lions spot.
This swap out, and that of Fraser Dingwall in for Henry Slade, again raise eyebrows when figuring out what England want to achieve. One thing that can be said for certain is most players in that squad will have butterflies every time there is a selection meeting.
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