Here we go again. Once more unto the breach. Imagine yourself in the boots of England’s players as they trot out under their latest management to kick off their 2023 Six Nations campaign at Twickenham. How would you feel? Underprepared? Probably. Unchained? Maybe. Unsure what to expect? In that respect they are no different from the thousands in the stands or the millions on their sofas.
Because no one can be entirely sure how England will fare after a turbulent winter of discontent. By rights this should be a tournament for sides who have not just jettisoned their head coach in midstream and teams who were not booed off last time they played at home. Expectations, for multiple reasons, are as modest as they have been for some time.
