Sir Clive Woodward urges England to unleash Henry Pollock and revamp their backline to challenge Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham

After England’s stinging defeat by Scotland in Edinburgh, the pressure is firmly back on Steve Borthwick’s squad.

The loss wasn’t just a setback on the scoreboard — it highlighted tactical choices and personnel decisions that now demand urgent attention.

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward doesn’t mince words: the performance simply wasn’t acceptable, and changes are essential if England are to regain momentum in the Six Nations.

Henry Pollock Could Be the Game-Changer

Woodward is adamant that England’s attack needs a spark, and he sees that spark in Henry Pollock.

Despite having only made appearances as a substitute in his seven caps, Pollock brings the kind of unpredictability and X-Factor that England lacked against Scotland.

Woodward argues that starting him against Ireland could energize the team and inject a sense of urgency and creativity that was missing in Murrayfield.

It’s also a bold call for George Ford.

Woodward suggests replacing him with Fin Smith at fly-half.

While Ford’s kicking game is strong, rugby is more than just territorial kicks — England need players who can move the ball, create opportunities, and take the game to the opposition.

Smith, according to Woodward, could be the player to unlock England’s attacking potential.

Key Position Swaps to Refresh England’s Line-Up

Beyond Pollock and Smith, Woodward advocates several other strategic tweaks.

Sam Underhill could make way for Pollock, and George Furbank should replace Freddie Steward at full-back.

With injuries ruling out Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Adam Radwan, the wings would likely fall to Tom Roebuck and Henry Arundell — though Arundell’s availability may hinge on disciplinary decisions following his sending-off against Scotland.

Defensively, players like Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge are expected to bounce back.

Woodward emphasizes that one poor match shouldn’t erase the trust built by experienced players, but a strong response is needed.

Centres Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman are expected to return to the starting line-up, with Freeman deployed in space rather than as a crash-ball runner, a key correction from the Scotland game.

Woodward’s Ideal Starting XV Against Ireland

According to Woodward, England’s starting side would be: Furbank at full-back; Roebuck and Arundell on the wings; Freeman and Atkinson in the midfield; Fin Smith at fly-half with Mitchell at scrum-half; and a forward pack featuring Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoje as captain, Chessum, Pepper, Pollock, and Earl.

This line-up balances experience, creativity, and attacking flair while addressing weaknesses exposed in Edinburgh.

Bywater’s Take: Stability Versus Change

Daily Mail rugby writer Alex Bywater provides a more measured perspective.

He notes that while changes are needed, Borthwick is unlikely to overhaul the team entirely.

Rotations may occur to manage fatigue — England are entering their third consecutive Six Nations game in as many weeks — but wholesale substitutions are improbable.

Bywater highlights key areas of potential adjustment.

If Arundell is banned, Freeman may shift to the wing, and Ollie Lawrence could join the midfield to strengthen creativity.

Pollock or Tom Curry could start depending on Borthwick’s preference, and George Furbank would return to full-back if fit.

Senior players such as Ford, Genge, and Itoje are expected to respond, with their prior contributions earning them continued trust despite a poor showing in Scotland.

England’s Tactical Imperatives

Both Woodward and Bywater agree on one point: England can’t rely solely on kicking.

Against Ireland, the team must play with pace, use width, and unlock attacking channels.

The balance between experience and emerging talent is crucial, with X-Factor players like Pollock providing unpredictability, while senior leaders offer stability and decision-making under pressure.

What’s Next?

England must respond quickly to avoid further damage in the Six Nations standings.

The clash with Ireland is a defining moment, not just tactically but psychologically.

Will the team run the ball more freely, unleash Pollock’s creativity, and correct previous errors in midfield positioning? Fans will also watch Arundell’s disciplinary outcome closely, as it could shape the wing choices and overall attack.

Beyond the immediate match, England faces the challenge of maintaining momentum across a condensed tournament schedule.

Injury management, rotation, and tactical flexibility will remain critical factors if they are to keep their Six Nations campaign alive.

Summary

England’s defeat to Scotland exposed tactical shortcomings and underperformance in key positions.

Sir Clive Woodward advocates bold changes, including starting Henry Pollock, giving Fin Smith the No 10 role, and making adjustments in the forward pack and backline to ignite attacking flair.

Bywater emphasizes measured rotations, trusting senior players, and strategic tweaks rather than wholesale changes.

The upcoming match against Ireland is pivotal.

England must balance experience with creativity, correct positional errors, and inject pace into their play if they hope to restore confidence and momentum in the Six Nations tournament.