England are preparing to unleash a new attacking approach against Fiji at Twickenham this weekend, with Marcus Smith's selection at full-back signalling a significant tactical shift for Steve Borthwick's side.
Fresh Faces and New attacking Intent
The home side make nine changes to their starting lineup following last week's comfortable victory over Australia, with Smith's move to the number 15 jersey capturing most attention. The talented Harlequins playmaker missed the Wallabies encounter but now gets his opportunity to shine in a revamped backline.
England's selection suggests an ambitious game plan, particularly with what appears to be their most mobile back five in the pack in recent memory. The combination of Chandler Cunningham-South at number eight, flankers Guy Pepper and Ben Earl, plus second-row pairing Ollie Chessum and Alex Coles promises significant athleticism around the park.
Learning from Past Mistakes
The memory of Fiji's 30-22 victory at Twickenham in August 2023 remains fresh for several England players, particularly captain Ellis Genge who led the side that day. "It was a bit of a rude awakening, wasn't it?" Genge reflected this week. "We had a barbecue afterwards and it was tough."
That defeat proved a turning point however, with Courtney Lawes' post-match speech about bouncing back proving prophetic. England have since undergone what Genge describes as an "extreme makeover," transforming from a team that coach Borthwick once admitted "weren't good at anything" to one riding an eight-match unbeaten run.
Strategic Evolution Under Borthwick
While South Africa's Rassie Erasmus is known for constant innovation, Borthwick's strength lies in meticulous tactical planning. England have developed the ability to adapt their approach to different opponents, having suffocated Australia with defence and aerial dominance last week while now preparing to test Fiji with increased attacking ambition.
The inclusion of five Northampton Saints players in the starting fifteen - Coles, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman - brings valuable club understanding, while teenage sensation Henry Pollock waits on the bench alongside the returning Henry Arundell.
England managed just four offloads in their victory over Australia, along with 16 handling errors and 14 penalties conceded. This weekend, with better conditions expected and an attacking mindset, those statistics are likely to improve significantly as England look to utilise their dangerous outside threats including Manny Feyi-Waboso, compared this week to Jason Robinson by coach Kevin Sinfield.
Fiji, ranked ninth in the world and ahead of both Italy and Wales, represent formidable opposition despite England's favourites tag. The Pacific Islanders pushed England hard in last year's World Cup quarter-final and have proven they can triumph at Twickenham, though financial realities mean next year's Nations Championship meeting between the sides will again be held in Europe rather than Suva.
For now, England's focus remains on continuing their development and potentially revealing what Genge calls "a completely different side" to the one humbled by France 53-10 in his previous captaincy experience. With the handbrake potentially off and attacking talent throughout the squad, Twickenham could witness England's most ambitious performance of the Borthwick era.
