Maro Itoje Leads England’s Strong First Half But Defensive Collapse Against Ireland in Dublin Exposes Key Weaknesses

When Maro Itoje was tasked with bringing a tougher, more aggressive edge to the England team, many questioned whether he could truly embody that role.

After all, this is a player who has had pre-marriage counseling sessions to prepare for the big moments on the field.

Yet, during the first half against Ireland, he did everything that was expected of him and more.

A Leader in the First Half: Itoje’s Impact

In the early stages of the match, England’s efforts were clearly focused, with Itoje leading the charge.

When his teammates lined up incorrectly during the anthems, he stepped in, walking them to the right position on the five-metre line.

You could feel his intensity — it wasn’t just in his powerful voice as he sang the anthem, but in how he couldn’t even stand still, reflecting the energy he was about to bring to the game.

Throughout the first half, Itoje seemed to be at the heart of England’s attack and defence.

He threw himself into every tackle, disrupted Ireland’s flow, and was a key part of England’s physical dominance.

His leadership was evident as he kept the pressure on, even managing to influence the referee, Ben O’Keeffe, with key observations on fouls, like when he pointed out a foul by Tadhg Beirne that could have led to Ireland’s first try.

The Defensive Gamble that Backfired

As the match went on, England’s performance started to reflect the challenges of having less experience in the squad.

The team had a physical edge in the first half, but fatigue set in quickly after the break, and the substitutes were unable to carry the torch.

This lack of depth exposed the team’s weaknesses.

While England’s defensive strategy had been based on mobility rather than muscle, it quickly became apparent that this gamble didn’t pay off.

As Ireland gained momentum, the gaps in England’s defence grew wider.

Players like Jack Crowley and Jack Conan capitalized on these openings, and England’s defence, led by Itoje, started to crumble.

It was clear that the depth of the squad was a major factor in Ireland’s 22-point run during the second half, exposing England’s vulnerabilities.

Itoje Struggles to Hold the Line as Ireland Dominates

By the second half, Itoje, who had been so influential in the first, was left scrambling to fill in the defensive gaps.

The pressure Ireland applied was too much for England’s makeshift defensive line, and they found themselves on the back foot as Ireland’s forwards took control.

Ireland’s rise to dominance seemed inevitable, and as the game ended, it felt like a return to the “old us” for Ireland — a team that knows how to capitalize on any weaknesses.

The Consequences of England’s Collapse

Looking ahead, England faces a difficult task.

Next week, they’ll face France at Twickenham, a side that recently crushed Wales in an impressive performance.

If England is to make any sort of recovery, they will need to execute their game plan much more effectively than they did against Ireland, especially in terms of field position and territory.

Itoje, reflecting on the match, downplayed the loss, noting that the team needed to learn from the defeat.

However, the reality was that the second-half collapse left many concerned about England’s ability to bounce back against a well-drilled French team.

Itoje’s leadership and message to the team were clear, but it’s clear that England needs more than just calm analysis; they need fire and determination to turn things around.

The Challenge of Captaincy Under Steve Borthwick

For Itoje, the role of captain is one he has earned over time, and it’s clearly an honour.

But there’s no denying the misfortune of being handed the captaincy under a coach who, despite the promising first half, has suffered seven losses in nine tests.

Steve Borthwick’s reliance on inexperienced players was evident, and it seems like England’s struggles under his leadership may continue unless there is a shift in both strategy and execution.

England’s loss to Ireland at Aviva Stadium revealed both the potential of this new England side and the serious challenges they face.

With France next on the horizon, the pressure will be on for them to dig deep and find a way to overcome their weaknesses before it’s too late.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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