Rewind the clock to just under a year ago and England players were heading back to their clubs with their tails between their legs after consecutive defeats to France and Ireland and having been chastised by Steve Borthwick for not being fit enough. The head coach’s concern was the shape in which they arrived at the start of the Six Nations and he made it clear to his troops that England would not be able to waste time focusing on fitness when they began World Cup preparations.
Borthwick’s indictment did not go down brilliantly around the clubs but the point he was making was obvious – that he had no control over his players when they were not on England time. Fast forward to the present and there are no such concerns over England’s fitness. Against Ireland, and judging by the way they finished the match, it would now appear to be a strength.
