England arrived at Murrayfield saying their intentions to be “bulletproof”. Fact be advised this was Scotland capturing fish in a barrel. Punishing errors, of which there have been a litany, Gregor Townsend’s crew uncovered the obtrusive limitations of Steve Borthwick’s aspect that shall be desperately troublesome to get better from.
Defeats occur, England’s successful run was at all times going to finish eventually, however the paucity of this efficiency is a few setback for a aspect whose grand slam hopes are over for an additional 12 months. Two years in the past Borthwick bemoaned how England had “performed small” after a quick begin, unable to stem Scotland’s momentum after giving up the initiative. Right here they barely performed in any respect. For England unravelled at Murrayfield once more. It’s as if Flower of Scotland flicks a swap in these gamers and Murphy’s legislation makes a mockery of them.
The errors had been calamitous, from Henry Arundell’s two yellow playing cards to George Ford’s charged down drop-goal try by way of Ellis Genge fluffing his strains. However there have been systemic issues operating via this England efficiency that may concern Borthwick extra. Ailing-discipline plagued them all through; the kicking sport upon which they rely so closely was not reaping any rewards but nonetheless they persevered; the absence of a second playmaker denied England any fluidity; they missed 20 tackles within the first half alone; and their decision-making left a lot to be desired.
For instance, England started the second half with a flea of their ear and a spring of their step. The scrum was the one facet of the sport during which they’d the ascendancy. They had been awarded one other penalty for his or her dominance inside 10 metres of the Scotland posts and the referee Nika Amashukeli may very well be heard telling Scotland, and the entire stadium, that another infringement and he would present a yellow card, thereby levelling the edges at 14 v 14, with Arundell off the sphere for 20 minutes.
The one resolution was to name for an additional scrum however as an alternative England kicked for purpose and didn’t rating one other level till the 78th minute. These are the kinks that Borthwick should iron out if England are to grow to be the aspect they’ve been threatening to be of late.
The very first thing the top coach should do for Eire’s go to subsequent week is restore Ollie Lawrence to the beginning lineup. The Tub man is known to be miffed on the truth he finds himself match however out within the chilly, uncertain as to the place he stands. He was in beautiful type 12 months in the past and considered one of England’s star turns within the autumn victory towards New Zealand however he has been the autumn man for Borthwick’s dedication to make Tommy Freeman right into a centre. It’s an experiment that must be stopped.
Borthwick spoke within the week of the worth of getting such versatility in the case of choosing a World Cup squad. He could be clever to do not forget that placing an excessive amount of deal with World Cup preparations throughout Six Nations campaigns was vital within the downfall of Eddie Jones.
Was this hubris? Fraser Dingwall is a tryer, Freeman an outstanding wing and they’re conversant in one another as Northampton teammates however Borthwick can have been solely too conscious that Townsend would choose an all British & Irish Lions partnership in Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. These two delivered a world-class efficiency, Dingwall and Freeman completely outshone. Individually they made errors – Dingwall for the second week operating selecting to grubber when he actually must have handed whereas Freeman was woefully out of place for Scotland’s second strive – however, in choosing these two and Freddie Steward at full-back, Borthwick denudes this aspect of creativity. Marcus Smith was not even in Scotland however he’s one other who ought to return to the matchday squad subsequent week, whereas it’s time to hand Henry Pollock a primary begin.
England’s issues ran deeper than choice, nevertheless, as a result of only a few gamers justified their locations, the tireless Ben Earl apart. They had been led a merry dance by Finn Russell, Scotland’s matador making England’s charging bulls look silly, by no means extra so than within the buildup to Ben White’s strive, and every error appeared to be compounded by one other. England’s ball-handling in Scotland’s 22 was abysmal they usually displayed a failure to stem the Scottish tide, to regroup, to climate setbacks and go once more.
Maro Itoje was significantly off the tempo – as proven by the very fact the returning captain was hooked – and he was unable to guide his aspect via the storm. That was presupposed to be one of many main strides ahead that this England crew had been taking, however nonetheless an announcement away win eludes Borthwick and his males. Let’s not write this aspect off simply but, maybe this was one unhealthy day on the workplace, however the disappointment stems from simply how unhealthy it was and the sensation that we have now been right here earlier than.
Two years in the past, after a crushing defeat in Scotland, Borthwick took his squad to York for a coaching camp. It proved to be the catalyst for an upturn, extra emphasis was to be placed on throwing the shackles off, on attacking with function they usually pulled off an exciting victory towards Eire at Twickenham of their subsequent match. There shall be no decamping subsequent week however there shall be loads of soul-searching earlier than Eire are on the town as soon as extra subsequent Saturday.
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