England Coach Borthwick Calls on 2003 World Cup Icons for Six Nations Motivation
In a bold move to counter England's alarming slump in the Six Nations, head coach Steve Borthwick has enlisted the wisdom of the nation's 2003 Rugby World Cup champions. This initiative comes as the team faces another setback, with scrum-half Alex Mitchell sidelined for the remainder of the tournament due to a hamstring injury sustained during the recent defeat by Ireland.
Dinner with Legends Aims to Spark Turnaround
On Wednesday evening, Borthwick's squad was scheduled to dine with iconic figures from the 2003 triumph, including captain Martin Johnson, Test centurion Jason Leonard, and Lewis Moody, who recently disclosed a motor neurone disease diagnosis. Other notable attendees include Lawrence Dallaglio, Phil Vickery, Ben Kay, Paul Grayson, Richard Hill, and Will Greenwood, all gathering at England's training base to share insights on overcoming adversity.
Borthwick emphasized the value of learning from past setbacks, noting that the 2003 team endured multiple grand slam disappointments before achieving a clean sweep and World Cup victory. "The purpose of this is to learn from their experiences," Borthwick stated. "They had moments where games didn't go their way, but they found a way through it." The dinner was organized by position groups to facilitate targeted discussions, with senior players engaging directly with the legends.
Injury Woes and Tactical Adjustments
Mitchell's absence is a significant blow, as he had cemented himself as Borthwick's primary scrum-half since 2023. Jack van Poortvliet is poised to step into the No. 9 jersey for the upcoming matches against Italy and France, while Ollie Lawrence remains a doubt for the Italy clash after receiving a knee injection. In response, George Furbank and Chandler Cunningham-South are under consideration to bolster the back-row and add creativity, having been recalled from club duties.
Borthwick also revealed that Lewis Moody delivered a poignant address to the team after their autumn victory over New Zealand, describing it as "incredibly moving" and highlighting the squad's commitment to supporting him amidst his health challenges.
Post-Defeat Review Highlights Key Issues
Following a three-day break, Borthwick and his coaching staff conducted a candid review of the 42-21 loss to Ireland, pinpointing critical areas for improvement. The coach acknowledged that England's intensity fell short, compounded by disciplinary lapses that saw Freddie Steward and Henry Pollock sent to the sin bin. Additional concerns include missed opportunities, breakdown struggles, and a staggering 24 turnovers conceded during the match.
"Intensity has become the hallmark of this team, and on Saturday it was not where we wanted to be," Borthwick admitted. "We must ensure that in Rome next Saturday, every player delivers the required standard from start to finish." With Raffi Quirke called up as cover and Ben Spencer available, England aims to regroup and salvage pride in their final Six Nations fixtures.
