Whatever people think about England’s risk-free rugby, it has delivered for them at this World Cup. Played 7 Won 6 Lost 1. It is a far healthier return than seemed likely in the dog days of the August warmups. Even a few weeks ago as they scrambled past Samoa, few envisaged them picking up any medals this weekend, bronze or otherwise.
Aside from that one-point heartbreaker against the Springboks, when they were overhauled in the closing minutes, England have stubbornly found ways to win. It was the same again here as they took an early grip of the game and were just about able to cling on to it. Argentina, for the second time at this tournament, were left to reflect on their game management and a lack of precision at crucial moments.
But riveting Friday night fun? As ever it depends to some extent on your nationality and, more specifically, your definition of sporting entertainment. England did not even attempt to deal in drop-goals this time, largely sticking to the tried and tested recipe of hoisting the ball into the dark Friday night sky and determinedly chasing after it. One-nil to the Arsenal? Steve Borthwick’s England are increasingly the modern rugby equivalent.
At least it guaranteed some winning beers for those whose England journeys are now drawing to a close. And here or there were occasional daubs of colour on the canvas to hint at a more exciting future. Marcus Smith’s lovely inviting little pass for Ben Earl’s early score was one, as was Sam Underhill’s productive return to the back row. There is a potentially loveable England team hiding in there somewhere.
And yet. This was another of those evenings, for example, that cried out for the gifted Henry Arundell to be properly unleashed. In the first half the unfortunate youngster did not even touch the ball, which is a bit like asking Monet to pop round one morning and decorate your front room in white emulsion. Arundell has been given temporary clearance to play in next year’s Six Nations despite having joined Racing 92 following London Irish’s demise. If no-one in an England jersey is going to pass to him he might be better off staying in France.
And, having been 16-3 up at half-time, the narrowness of the final margin again underlined the wider limitations of this team’s current approach. The Pumas kept playing and England, when they did finally feel compelled to try and move the ball, did so with such limited success it was almost painful to watch. Without Theo Dan’s chargedown score, their evening might well have gone steeply downhill.
Sweet and sour. It has been the theme of England’s entire 2023 World Cup. Their defence has mostly been excellent, with only nine tries conceded in those seven games. On the flip side they have registered the most average kicks per game of any team, the most box kicks and the slowest attacking ruck speed. It is a perfectly valid strategy for soggy days but, at some stage between now and 2027, England will be required to play on firm surfaces with a dry ball.
So who have been England’s biggest winners in France? Earl and Alex Mitchell have both grasped their opportunities with both hands and earned the right to start in the 2024 Six Nations. George Martin was immense, in every sense, against the Springboks. If the quietly excellent Joe Marchant was not now heading for the Top 14, he would be in the same category.
The huge contribution Courtney Lawes has made to English rugby over so many years is also about to become more appreciated than ever. Ditto Dan Cole. In their unfussy, no-nonsense ways, both have had World Cup swansongs of which they can be deeply proud. Ben Youngs, Joe Marler and Jonny May have also been outstanding examples to any ambitious young player of the importance of hanging in there when things are not going so well.
But nothing lasts forever. How much longer, for example, can Manu Tuilagi and Billy Vunipola keep bashing it up? It all makes the next phase of England’s journey under Borthwick even more interesting. The head coach is likely to favour evolution over revolution but some important judgment calls will have to be made before his side face Italy in the first weekend of February.
What might that starting XV in Rome look like? It is easy to see Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence and Freddie Steward clocking back on but there are some gaps that will need careful filling. Is Smith really best employed as a full-back? Is it time to cast the net wider in midfield and in the front row? Do England need more pace in key positions?
And, most fundamentally of all, will they – can they? – cast off their self-imposed shackles and display a shade more ambition? Borthwick had limited time in which to pull a gameplan together for this tournament and deserves credit for the detail and organisation he has clearly introduced.
For his next trick he needs to show he can fashion something slightly more positive and, in doing so, elevate his bronze medallists to the next level.
