England's 73-8 demolition of Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium provided a tantalising glimpse of the attacking potential that could define Steve Borthwick's tenure, with hat-trick hero Henry Pollock and teenage sensation Noah Caluori leading the charge.
Pollock's hat-trick highlights England's pace and potential
Henry Pollock scored three second-half tries, showcasing the pace and self-confidence that could make him a key figure for England. The 20-year-old back row forward's performance evoked memories of Everton's legendary goalscorers Dixie Dean, Bob Latchford, and Graeme Sharp, according to the match report.
Borthwick, however, remained cautious about starting Pollock in the upcoming match against Argentina in Santiago del Estero. 'He did a pretty good job coming off the bench, didn't he?' Borthwick said. 'I think Henry is an outstanding player but we've got many real top quality back row forwards there. I understand why you focus on individuals and I myself have also said we want superstars in our game. But it's also quite right that I focus on the team that creates the opportunities for somebody to score those tries.'
Borthwick urged to embrace attacking rugby
The victory, though heavily diluted by Fiji's poor performance, offered a sense of quiet excitement that has been largely absent during England's previous five-Test losing run. Borthwick is being urged to fully commit to attacking rugby, following the examples of Scotland and France, who have shown that slick execution with ball in hand is becoming essential for top sides.
If England can bolt on a half-decent offloading game like Northampton, they could become incisive. The backline that finished the game against Fiji—featuring Benhard van Rensburg, Henry Slade, Manny Feyi-Waboso, and Tommy Freeman—provided a balance of pace and potential that any side would covet.
Marcus Smith experiment at scrum-half
Borthwick is also considering repeating the experiment of using Marcus Smith at scrum-half, where he ended up after Alex Mitchell's latest hamstring injury. Raffi Quirke has been drafted in as Mitchell's replacement, but if Smith can become a feasible option at No 9, it would allow a 7-1 bench strategy similar to South Africa's.
Tuchel comparison and managing expectations
Borthwick has long been interested in how England-based coaches handle the weight of expectation, speaking to several Premier League managers. He noted, 'I talk to them about how they manage it. Consistency of preparation, consistency in reviews. If you win, yes praise them for what they did well, but make sure they understand what they can do better.'
Thomas Tuchel's England football team, who reached the World Cup semi-final, served as an inspiration. Borthwick would love to be where Tuchel is now, with a World Cup semi-final in prospect and a team with another gear in it. Tuchel and his staff visited their rugby counterparts in March, albeit in the week England lost to Italy in the Six Nations for the first time.
Challenges ahead against Argentina
England face Argentina in Santiago del Estero on Saturday, with the Pumas desperate to ambush them. However, Pollock's pace and self-confidence could transform the contest. Borthwick is urged to trust the evidence of his own eyes and start Pollock, giving him a full 80 minutes rather than restricting his game time.
The travel demands are onerous, the weather conditions fluctuating madly, and it is the end of an achingly long season. But if Borthwick's England want to emulate Tuchel's England, they will need to venture even further outside their comfort zones. Going on the offensive in Santiago del Estero could pay off handsomely down the track.
