2023-10-28 10:09:51
We imagine that the English will watch the All Blacks-Springboks grand final this Saturday evening with a slight bitterness. Seven days ago, they came close to an XXL feat against South Africa (15-16 defeat) in the semi-final and must still regret these last fatal minutes. But once the evening beer or gin and tonic has been swallowed, players and fans will be able to remember that they have come from far, far away. And that a bronze medal, gleaned Friday evening at the end of a great battle against Argentina (26-23), is enough for their current happiness. Enough to savor the poster of the final between the two best current selections in world rugby.
Humiliating defeats and favorable draw
For England, the future looks brighter than at the dawn of the competition. Nobody, apart from coach Steve Borthwick, believed in such a course. Destroyed by its media and some of its former glories for its lack of desire and its unimaginative play, the XV de la Rose had to withdraw in order to blossom better again. A method that is not very pleasant for the followers but which has proven itself in this World Cup. Impervious to criticism, Steve Borthwick and his staff created an environment conducive to performance for England who, let’s not forget, were able to take advantage of a favorable draw until the semi-final, far from the monsters ( Ireland, New Zealand, France or South Africa).
Appointed in December 2022 in place of Australian Eddie Jones, who returned to the country, Borthwick experienced difficult months with humiliating defeats at home against Scotland (23-29), France (10-53) or the Fiji (22-30). At the head of a group in reconstruction and very young, like Ben Earl, Tom Curry (25 years old), Freddie Steward or George Martin (22 years old), the Rose coach asked for time to find the chemistry with the oldest, like captain Owen Farrell. Successful mission throughout the World Cup matches, reaching the summit against the Springboks in the half, losing just a little with his convictions (football, slow tempo, conquest, aggressiveness).
“Everything wasn’t perfect but we found a way to win”
“At the start of the Six Nations Tournament, we tried to lay the foundations of the game we wanted to play,” Owen Farrell explains today. Along the way, we didn’t get the expected results, and it was the same thing for the preparation matches. But once we arrived here, we had the feeling of progressing day by day, of building something throughout this competition. This team has a bright future and Steve is at its head. Well done to everyone involved. »
The English Federation will have to confirm it but doubts seem to be lifted about Steve Borthwick, who should continue his reconstruction during the 2024 VI Nations tournament. It will be without Ben Youngs, scrum half, or Courtney Lawes, 2nd or 3rd row, newly retired . Other retirements are expected and even Borthwick must wonder what the squad will look like on February 3 when it enters the Tournament in Rome (Italy). “I have already started work,” smiled the coach at a press conference. “This team is constantly evolving,” summarizes Owen Farrell. We are going to take advantage of the weekend and go back to work, first with the club and then with the selection. »
And now let’s head to the Tournament!
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work accomplished,” continues Steve Borthwick. I’m delighted for the players, who worked so hard. We won six of the seven matches and lost by one point against the world champions. I have always believed in this team. It is very moving. Not everything was perfect but we found a way to win games. “. Before a final message to the British press, without any irony: “Thank you for your work. I know we haven’t always agreed but we all want English rugby to win. We agree on that.” See you at the end of winter to find out if the Rose will still have its autumn colors.
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