The English rugby team's recent performance has been a cause for concern, to say the least. Despite a promising start to the year, with a 12-game winning streak, the team's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse, particularly in the Six Nations Championship. The RFU review, which aimed to provide clarity and address the team's shortcomings, has revealed a number of interconnected issues that need addressing.
One of the main areas of concern is the team's kicking strategy. England's approach to contestable kicks has been described as 'impenetrable' and 'not contestable', with a poor return rate of just 9%. This has been attributed to the team's inability to kick short enough to compete in the air, and their failure to push the ball as far away downfield as possible. The team's wingers, such as Marcus Smith, have been left hanging off in support, while the opposition's full-backs, like Damian Willemse, have been making clean receipts on the ball.
The team's discipline has also been a major issue, with a tournament-high eight yellow cards and one red card conceded in the Six Nations. This has been a significant factor in the team's inability to consistently perform at the level expected. The team's penalty count has been a major problem, with England conceding 55 penalties in the tournament, compared to just 17 for the French.
The team's defence has also been a cause for concern, with the team conceding 158 points in their past four games, an average of 40 points per game. This has been attributed to the team's failure to adjust to the new rules of combat at the maul, which have become redundant for the Nations Championship. The team's inability to defend the lineout drive effectively has allowed the opposition to score tries with ease.
The RFU review's optimistic assertion that the team's 'aspiration to play' was clear throughout the review has been called into question. The team's performance has been described as 'unclear' and 'unsure', with a 'peculiar fog' hanging over the team's future. The team's head coach, Steve Borthwick, has been tasked with addressing these issues and providing clarity for the team's future success.
In conclusion, the English rugby team's recent performance has been a cause for concern, with a number of interconnected issues that need addressing. The team's kicking strategy, discipline, and defence have all been called into question, and the team's future success remains uncertain. It remains to be seen whether Borthwick can provide the clarity and direction needed to turn the team's fortunes around.
