Steve Borthwick’s England has managed to secure two wins from three matches in the 2023 Six Nations, but the manner in which they’ve achieved those victories has left many wondering about their true form. With fixtures against the bottom two teams, Italy and Wales, coming up, England’s performances so far have raised more questions than answers.
In their opening round against Ireland in Dublin, England showed promise in the first half but quickly fell behind 27-10 before a last-minute surge allowed them to salvage a losing bonus point. Their attacking play looked lackluster, and their defense appeared vulnerable, especially in the latter stages.
Narrow Wins Against France and Scotland
The second round saw England take on France at Twickenham. The consensus after the match was that France missed several clear try-scoring opportunities, which could have put the game beyond England’s reach. Despite that, England managed to squeeze out a 26-25 victory, coming through with a last-ditch attack.
In this weekend’s encounter against Scotland, England won by a single point again, with Finn Russell’s missed conversion in the dying moments preventing the Scots from snatching a dramatic win. Again, England struggled to show fluidity in their attack and were forced to rely on a nervy finish to come out on top.
Criticism of England’s Game Plan
Many critics have pointed out that, despite the wins, England’s style of play has been overly negative and kick-heavy. Their reliance on tactical kicking and their lack of creativity in attack have made for some uncomfortable viewing, and some are questioning whether this approach will be effective against stronger sides.
Credit to the Players
While their game plan has been heavily scrutinized, it’s important to note that the England players have shown resilience and determination to grind out victories. Their ability to dig deep and secure wins in tight matches speaks to their character, even if the performances haven’t been convincing.
As England prepares for their upcoming games against Italy and Wales, it remains to be seen whether they can build on their winning ways or whether their style of play will continue to come under fire. For now, England sits with two wins, but there’s still much to prove in the coming weeks.
