Big boot: England’s approach raised questions
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Just hours before the Kansas City Chiefs would claim Super Bowl glory, England’s offensive game proved more gridlock than gridiron at Twickenham.
As Patrick Mahomes geared up to pilot the Chiefs to the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Steve Borthwick’s attacking drive appeared stuck in neutral amid a puzzling grubber-kicking ruse.
A five-try England overwhelmed Italy, but the hosts could have taken a leaf out of American football’s book to solve their front-foot sticking point.
In the NFL, they put boot on ball only as a last resort. In Test rugby right now, top teams Ireland and France attack in relentless phase-play waves resembling the US sporting behemoth.
Keep the ball long enough and accurately enough through those phases, and the opposition will fold for either a penalty or a try.
England seemed convinced Italy would fall for a ploy that gained no reward, given the Azzurri’s fixed defensive line yesterday.
Jamie George boasts many Test-match strengths, but the hooker is unlikely to outstrip Test wingers on the touchline.
So from the moment Owen Farrell set the front-rower off on a foot race to the most curious of those in-goal grubbers, George was in a losing battle. The Azzurri’s defence was not for turning — but neither was England’s attack.
New England boss Borthwick. “We’re trying to rebuild this team and we’ve taken some steps forward, but there’s plenty to improve on. We left plenty of chances out there. When our ruck speed went up, we stressed the defence more, when it slowed down, we didn’t.”
Marcus Smith has already revealed the new-look England want to “shock ourselves and everyone else” with the speed of their attacking game.
Borthwick’s new Test outfit has even generated impressively quick ruck ball across their two Six Nations outings.
England appear to have all the basic faculties to pull off their craved approach, and carry it through to regular scoring conclusion. And yet Borthwick’s men hesitate.
Perhaps this is a consequence of so much change in such a short time, after Eddie Jones’ December sacking.
England should back themselves to the hilt to impose their fluent phase play on their foes however, and forget the fixation on regular tactical kicking in the opposition 22.
Punt for territory, kick high to retrieve and break the gainline, even chip out the odd scoring kick-pass — but let the phases and the hands do the work beyond that.
England did dominate Italy up front, in a manner impressive enough to indicate a tight-five revival ahead.
Jack Willis put a torrid two years behind him with a try to cap a stunning showing, with Ollie Chessum and George also crossing. A penalty try completed England’s pack-power scoring, before Henry Arundell scooted home to toast his Six Nations debut.
