England’s zombies have rapidly descended into collective brain fog in Six Nations
After their poorest pair of tournament performances in years, Steve Borthwick’s project is inevitably under scrutiny
TL;DR
- England suffered a significant defeat to Ireland (42-21) in the Six Nations, ending their title hopes.
- The team's performance is described as listless and a return to past struggles, contradicting earlier optimism based on a winning streak.
- Key areas England believed they had addressed, such as leadership, bench impact, and forward power, have simultaneously faltered.
- The team's rigid game plan, based on control, proves ineffective when not achieved, leading to brittle play and defensive vulnerabilities.
- In two games, England conceded 73 points and nine tries, with poor conversion rates in the opposition 22.
- The article criticizes the lack of Grand Slams won by England since 2003 and suggests a prioritization of the Prem elite over grassroots development.
- A comparison is drawn between England's approach and that of successful teams like Ireland, highlighting differences in management and decision-making.
- Significant changes are anticipated before England's next match against Italy, with future challenges including a series against South Africa looming.