England’s Big Test: It’s Time for Consistency
As a head coach of an international team, there comes a moment when you have to be bold in your selections and stick with your choices, no matter what.
Steve Borthwick is now at that crossroads with England’s squad.
Ahead of Saturday’s “Le Crunch” against France, he’s made some significant changes, but I can understand the reasoning behind them.
A Win is Crucial
England desperately needs a victory against France.
There will be those who argue that England isn’t quite on the same level as the French yet, and that we’re still in a different stage of our development (I really can’t stand that word!).
Some might even be okay with just a good performance, but we know that’s not what matters right now.
Inside that England dressing room, no one is thinking that way.
Borthwick and the players will be hurting from the loss in Ireland, and they’ll be more determined than ever to get the win.
After that defeat, facing France at home feels like the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
This is not a time for England to feel sorry for themselves or make excuses.
“England Expects” – A Motivation That Never Fades
One of my favorite phrases when I was coaching the team was “England Expects.
” Even now, just thinking about those words gives me goosebumps.
It perfectly captured the mindset we needed to win—anything less was simply not acceptable.
The Temptation of Change
When you’re on a losing streak, the temptation to make massive changes is always there. You might be tempted to either overhaul your team completely or just tinker with a few positions here and there. Borthwick, however, has taken the latter approach, opting for small adjustments rather than sweeping changes week after week.
But here’s the thing—I believe England would be better off sticking to a more consistent lineup. Injuries have, of course, caused some necessary changes. George Furbank’s injury forced Borthwick to make adjustments at full-back, and Freddie Steward started in Ireland. Now, Marcus Smith is moved from fly-half to 15 for the France match, with Fin Smith from Northampton stepping in at No 10.
New Faces, But the Core Needs Stability
Injuries have also meant Cadan Murley, who started on the wing against Ireland, is replaced by Ollie Sleightholme for this weekend’s game.
I like Sleightholme—he’s quick, aggressive, and direct.
He reminds me of players like Dan Luger, and I believe the big match at Twickenham will suit him perfectly.
There’s also a shift in the back row.
In Dublin, Borthwick went with the Curry twins, Tom and Ben, on the flanks, with Ben Earl at No 8.
For France, Tom Curry moves to blindside, Earl goes back to No 7, and Tom Willis joins in at the back of the scrum.
Both combinations have their merits.
I thought the trio against Ireland did well, and I think this new lineup can perform just as effectively.
Adapting to the Opposition, But With Confidence
Borthwick’s strategy seems to be about picking players to combat France’s heavy pack—bringing in Willis for his ball-carrying strength and physicality.
I can see the logic in that, and it’s exciting to see Willis get such a big opportunity.
That said, I would love to see England trust their own style of play.
They know what France brings to the table—brutality in the forwards—but I think the best way to beat France is to keep them moving.
You want to tire out their big pack, play a fast game, and use your kicking game strategically.
This is where the twin-Smith combination could really shine.
If supported by a fast-moving England pack, particularly in the back row, it could be a winning formula.
I’m not entirely sure that the forward selection this week is focused on that, though.
The Value of Consistency
When it comes to team selection, consistency is key. And this is especially true for England, where the players come together from a number of different clubs.
Cohesion has sometimes been a challenge because of this, unlike in countries like Ireland, where players primarily come from just four provinces and most of the team is made up of Leinster players.
England won’t have that luxury of having most players from one or two sides, but looking back at successful periods in the past, the core of the team often came from one or two strong clubs—think Leicester and Wasps in the early 2000s, or Saracens in more recent years.
Stick With What Works
After suffering seven consecutive losses to Tier One teams, I understand why Borthwick is trying to find the magic formula.
But my advice would be to stick with a more consistent approach rather than constantly changing things. In my experience, too much rotation can be counterproductive.
This is a massive game for England.
Against Ireland, they were brilliant in the first half, but faltered in the second. I don’t expect that to happen again at Twickenham.
If England start strong, as they must, they can definitely build momentum and grow into the match.
As always, “England Expects.”