2023-09-09 12:18:04
2023 Rugby World Cup in FrancedossierThe shock of Group D pits the vice-world champions who have a string of defeats and are surrounded by doubts, against irregular Pumas, timid favorites this Saturday September 9 in Marseille.
What face will the XV de la Rose show in the bustling enclosure of the Marseille Vélodrome this Saturday, September 9? All outgoing finalists that they are, these 2023 vintage Englishmen are advancing into this World Cup devoid of the slightest certainty. Their recent preparatory games in any case augur the worst: four tests, three failures including a first historic setback against the modest Fijians (22-30). Add in the three other defeats, including the memorable defeat against the French XV at Twickenham (10-53), during the Six Nations Tournament, and it is difficult to see how this selection could leave French soil with its second Webb Ellis trophy , twenty years after his only title.
Many are even wondering if the nation is not on the verge of achieving the worst World Cup in its history, considering the worst: that Japan or even Samoa will crush its politeness in the pools. In their Normandy base camp in Le Touquet, the players repeated the same phrases almost in unison, like: “The best is yet to come” or “the tide can quickly turn”, as second row Maro Itoje wants to believe.
Absent executives
Steve Borthwick, who must be wondering why he agreed to take over the reins of this drifting selection ten months earlier, spends his press conferences playing down the situation. The former Leicester thinking head feels that his family have been “buried a little too quickly”. He praises “a very good group of talented players who”, he assures, “will play exceptionally well against Argentina”.
It is unlikely, however, to see them repeat their performance from four years ago. In Japan, Englishmen of a completely different level had devoured the Pumas already in the group stage (39-10). This time, they will be without two executives, their playing master and captain, Owen Farrell, as well as their only third line center Billy Vunipola, both stupidly suspended for dangerous tackles during summer preparation.
Since nothing or almost nothing has been working for months, the staff is attempting a big move in the starting line-up: it is indeed scrum-half Alex Mitchell (26 years old, 6 caps), although left out of the initial group, who will start this Saturday at the expense of the more experienced Danny Care and Ben Youngs.
The menace of Argentina Carreras
The Pumas who face them are in a more reassuring dynamic, but have been shining lately with their inconsistency. There remains the impression that the instructions of the new coach, Michael Cheika, who took Australia to the final of the 2015 World Cup, are passed every other time. This summer, Argentina showed a lackluster face during the Rugby Championship. Sometimes convincing, for example by hanging on to the Springboks in Johannesburg (21-22 defeat), after overcoming the Australians in Sydney (34-31). Sometimes worrying, as during his more than stormy debut against the New Zealanders (12-41 defeat).
Cheika, successor to the illustrious Mario Ledesma, orchestrates as best he can a team “well balanced between young and old”, as described by former scrum half Agustin Pichot. Above all, a selection little affected by injuries. Almost everyone is there: several sure values from the Top 14, like Toulouse’s Juan Cruz Mallia and Santiago Chocobares or the rough second line from Clermont Tomas Lavanini. All mixed with some familiar figures from the English championship, including their captain, Leicester hooker Julian Montoya, and their new playing master and potential danger number 1: Santiago Carreras.
Replacing the end of the bench in 2019, this small size (1.83 meters and 82 kg), converted winger-opener, the Gloucester player has transformed into a handyman over the seasons. He can “run, pass or kick,” says Julian Montoya of him, still admiring his recent high-flying performances.
His long-distance duel against professional fly-half George Ford (30 years old, 85 caps), preferred to young Marcus Smith, will certainly be worth the detour. Carreras would be well inspired to repeat his performance from autumn 2022, when, author of a try shortly after the break, he greatly contributed to the historic success of the South Americans at Twickenham (30-29). The outcome doesn’t matter, as long as the plot is similar on Saturday.
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