SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: English rugby’s problems run far deeper than on-field errors – these are the four issues they must fix off the pitch too
After England’s defeat by Australia last Saturday, I wrote that Steve Borthwick’s side are not getting the key moments that properly define international rugby.
When it matters most, England continues to get it seriously wrong. At first I thought this was just an on-field issue. But having thought about it further, it’s now clear to me that issues off the field undoubtedly affect things there. That is the reason England narrowly lose games instead of winning games.
The contrast with South Africa is great. Springbok fans and players really owe a lot to Rassie Erasmus. He has made some mistakes in the past, but he has single-handedly put South African rugby in this position. He has built a system that works for his team and prioritises South African rugby at international level.
Forget the issues of blitz defense for a moment. There are four main things that English rugby is doing wrong. They need to be adapted to ensure that the national team truly has the mentality of serial winners – a mentality that is so easy to see in South Africa.
OVERSEAS PLAYER RULE
When Borthwick names his team to take on world champions South Africa on Saturday, no one can say this is the best English team he can pick.
England are reeling after converting 42 points against Australia in their defeat at Twickenham
Steve Borthwick is looking for answers after back-to-back international defeats in the autumn
This is due to the RFU ruling, which means that only players from English clubs can play for England. The RFU defends this policy by saying there are currently only one or two players abroad who may be eligible for selection.
Frankly, that insults the intelligence of any rugby fan. Even if that were true, it shows complete ignorance of the impact a player can have on the small margins of top sport.
France-based Owen Farrell, Jack Willis and Henry Arundell would all be in my first-choice England 23. Can Marcus Smith really look in the mirror and say ‘I’m the best English fly-half’ if Farell isn’t taken into account?
South Africa’s success has been built on players flourishing abroad, especially here in England. Are the RFU on the hunt for rugby league players such as Herbie Farnworth to become their version of new Australian sensation Joseph Sua’ali’i?
The RFU rule completely undermines Borthwick by robbing him of the chance to choose his strongest side – something that should be sacred to every Test coach.
How can he produce an English team with a no-excuse mentality capable of beating the best? I have been consistent in this: I would abolish the overseas rule immediately.
NO RFU RESPONSIBILITY
In the wake of the loss in Australia, I saw some sections of the media swallowing the RFU’s briefing that the governing body was ‘100 percent’ behind Borthwick. This is just so wrong.
Let me make it clear. I support Borthwick and the RFU must support him. He is a young coach and does not get all the resources to help him.
All sporting organizations must be transparent and accountable, but the RFU specializes in exactly the opposite. Who are the people who are ‘100 percent’ behind Borthwick?
Borthwick is a young coach and is not given all the resources to help him
The CEO of the RFU, Bill Sweeney, should respond publicly to Danny Care’s revelations
If it’s the CEO Bill Sweeney, why doesn’t he come out and say so? English rugby is run by faceless and unnamed committees.
Who were the people who gave Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones a new contract despite what we now know has been confirmed about the regime he led, thanks to Danny Care’s book?
Why hasn’t Sweeney responded publicly to Care’s revelations?
If there is a review of this month’s games in November, whatever happens over the next two weeks, who will be the ones to take that on? There must be total transparency.
ALL TOO COZY
Borthwick has spoken about the players in the England squad who will be part of the national set-up for the next decade. This is completely the wrong narrative: it creates a cozy culture where players know they won’t be challenged.
It is not just Borthwick’s rhetoric that has played a role in this. My view is that when Borthwick confirmed enhanced player contracts for 17 key England players, all that did was confirm the fact that these men are guaranteed international selection. International players must always feel that the next match must be their last.
Even Twickenham has lost the edge it once had and has become too cozy for away teams who now approach the prospect of a famous victory with too much confidence.
Borthwick has spoken about the players in the England squad who will be part of the national set-up for the next decade – this is completely the wrong story
IT’S NOW OR NEVER!
Test rugby is 100 percent about today. Not tomorrow, next month or next year. Jones suffered from this towards the end of his term. At a time when England were constantly losing, his story was that the long-term goal was the 2023 World Cup.
He never got that far, and Borthwick must learn from that. This also applies to the RFU and the England players. You can’t win every game and success doesn’t come in a straight line.
But you can see that the teams that are on the right track do not accept compromises and have a sense of urgency and purpose. They do not accept loss in any form. England has happily done this in recent years, all in the name of development. I see it happening again with this team.
Ahead of England’s A match against Australia on Sunday, RFU director Conor O’Shea spoke of the young players coming through as ‘generative’.
That’s all well and good – and hopefully he’s right – but what about the here and now? English rugby can’t always talk about the future. The only game that matters is the next one.
English rugby can’t always talk about the future, the only game that matters is the next one
After a dismal loss to Scotland, England were in front and defeated Ireland at home in a superb performance that remains by far their best under Borthwick.
But since then, apart from the win over Japan, England have lost five very winnable games.
English rugby must find a winning mentality on the field of play and in the boardroom, otherwise the same patterns of failure will inevitably repeat themselves.
I expect a huge response from the team and the coach against South Africa. They have the talent to win. But do they have the mentality? England with one!