SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Tap dancer Alex Mitchell is key and MUST set the tone for England… be brave, be brave and the scrum-half sniper can fire an unlikely bid for World Cup glory
Like any good celebration, this World Cup needs the contribution of everyone present, and that includes England.
Steve Borthwick’s side cannot afford to stand in the corner and blend in with the wallpaper. To succeed in France, England must be courageous and courageous.
That starts on Saturday evening against Argentina in Marseille.
This way, Borthwick and his team can start their World Cup with a bang…
To have any success at the Rugby World Cup, struggling England must be courageous and courageous
Mitchell the key…
Alex Mitchell wasn’t even in England’s original World Cup squad, so the selection to start him against Argentina must be considered a shock. But I am very much in favor of the decision.
Mitchell needs to be given a license to play his natural game.
Watching him for Northampton, the scrum-half is a running threat who takes quick tap penalties and constantly sneaks around the ruck looking for a gap. England need him to do that in a white shirt.
He is a wonderful player to watch. But there’s absolutely no point in him starting when he’s told to slow the ball down and just kick, kick, kick.
I want to see Mitchell bring pace to the English game and add some much-needed tempo.
If he sees an opportunity to run, take it. If there is a quick tap, don’t wait any longer!
Speed has been missing from the English line-up for far too long. It’s time to release the handbrake.
Alex Mitchell is the key and must inject the speed that the team has lacked for far too long
Make sure the ball is central
Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant form the English midfield. They have to get the ball!
In the warm-up matches, almost every attacking lineout was controlled by the attackers.
Not only was it a failed tactic and easy to stop, it was also very predictable. The opposition had no problem with it. Argentina is a dangerous attacking team.
They use a lot of decoys behind the scrum and have a lot of surprises. England must give Michael Cheika’s side a taste of their own medicine.
Mitchell and George Ford should provide Tuilagi with the top of the game and give him a chance to take over in the Argentine defense.
Tuilagi can also be used as a decoy runner for Marchant in the wider channels where he can use his pace.
Manu Tuilagi will form half of England’s midfield; he has to get the ball
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Borthwick’s game plan so far has been very low risk. It is based on many stairs.
It seems to me that if the players are not afraid of making mistakes, they are aware of the consequences.
To be successful at this World Cup, England must remove the fear factor. That’s what Gareth Southgate did and it has helped no end. Mistakes happen.
No team ever plays the perfect game, but England need to throw off their straitjacket and try new things. They have nothing to lose.
Until now, Steve Borthwick’s game plan has been very low risk, with players afraid of making mistakes
If all else fails, look to Smith
MarcuS Smith is a fly-half and I would have liked to see him start there against Argentina. He will be on the bench in Marseille, but if England don’t perform I would like to see him emerge at the age of 10 or 15 to spice up England’s attack.
Smith likes to try things. He is a great kicker and runner. Fullback is a position he doesn’t have much experience in, but in terms of England being willing to take a risk, playing Smith in the backfield, where there is more space, is just that.
Borthwick, the team and their supporters should not fear this happening.
The prospect of Ford and Smith being on the pitch at the same time would certainly provide England with a dual playmaker option.
Marcus Smith is an excellent kicker and runner and would provide his team with multiple options