England got their Six Nations campaign back on track as they overwhelmed Italy on Sunday, making up for last week’s disappointing defeat to Scotland.
However, with many Telegraph Sport readers, as well as Telegraph rugby writer Charlie Morgan, currently viewing England as a “mid-table international team”, there is still a long way to go – which might well expose the imperious Ireland and France in the coming weeks.
Here’s how Telegraph Sport readers rate Steve Borthwick’s England based on their Six Nations to date:
England against Italy
The Steve Borthwick era saw its first win on Sunday after England scored five tries in a comfortable 31-14 victory over Italy.
While many readers agreed that Borthwick’s selection talks largely paid off, the midfield was stronger and the side was progressing, others were frustrated by Owen Farrell’s over-tricks and highlighted our weaknesses in attack and defence.
Ashley Slater: “Eddie Jones was accused of lacking ingenuity in attack. It’s still early days but I don’t see a difference under Borthwick. He still uses an aimless kick-chase game with a big boy running through the middle of the first phase grits. He’s clearly focus on the maul, but better teams won’t struggle to defend them. Last year we beat Italy 33-0 in Rome, so it’s hardly a year-on-year improvement. The jury is out Convinced. Malins and Hassell-Collins are not convinced a step up from May and Nowell, especially in defence. Cole and Mako look good. Dombrandt is not fit enough to play test match rugby. Chessum, Ludlam and Willis did well , just like under Jones, but Mitchell was the bright spark, he has an X factor and I think he is a bigger threat than Jack van Poortvliet.
Paul Bowes: “I’m glad we won anyway. Yes, it wasn’t an earth-shattering performance and we still have a long way to go, but England under Borthwick have shown improvement in both games he captained. The team was definitely better without the horrible partnership between Marcus Smith and Owen Farell. I thought Lawrence played very well at age 12 and Willis was excellent. The defense was still shaky at times but better than last week. Don’t expect miracles overnight. Continuous improvement from game to game will take time, but we are moving in the right direction.”
PJ Caroll: “I was really disappointed by Farrell. The second half was flat and he couldn’t get the team going. He should be the leader of that team. We needed an injection of pace and energy, but he persisted in kicking the first attacking ball away in or outside Italy’s 22. He then kicked it out at the end when England had nothing to lose by going for it. Things on the training field.”
Oliver Wakefield: “Let’s have some perspective. England have just had their worst ever autumn campaign. Their scrum conceded penalty after penalty. The line out didn’t work at all and the back row was regularly played out of the park.
“Borthwick has had about three weeks with the team. In comparison, the Scottish, Irish and French coaching teams have had their roster for years.
“The back line is not shooting yet, but there is progress.
“For further context, let’s bear in mind that the Italians almost beat the French a week ago.”
Andrew Davis: “Solid but dull and unconvincing. I know Borthwick don’t have long to put their own stamp on the side and need some time, but they don’t seem to be a team that can seriously compete with the best in the world just yet world.” Time for Farrell to step back and give Smith a chance to play a completely free role and bring some of the flair that would really benefit the team.”
How England can improve
With England traveling to Cardiff in two weeks to take on a struggling Welsh side after two defeats, readers break down the areas where they think England need to improve to win what will no doubt be another tough test.
Stephen Robertshaw: “England kicked away too much possession, especially when attacking in the Italian 22. They should follow Ireland’s example and be patient and go through the phases until an opportunity inevitably arises.”
David Edwards: Borthwick says he wants to play on form. So Farrell and Itoje have to be dropped on the couch. Ben Curry all the way out – there are some better than that. Youngs from the 22 in full. There is little time to lose and he must be ruthless. He has nothing to lose and needs to create a wave of momentum on the back of form players who have the desire, want to come out and play to the limit and not be jaded by Eddie Jones’ last two years.
jeremy friend: “I suspect that as long as we keep kicking aimlessly into the opposition’s 22 (Ben Youngs in particular) we will find it difficult to score. The opponent simply uses the ball we gift them to attack through the center. If we keep kicking, then the old-fashioned (Bill McLaren has snow on it) would certainly be better, so that our attackers arrive with the ball.
Marcus Vaigncourt-Strallen: “Please, please, please, can we have Marcus Smith at 10am, Henry Slade at 12pm and Marchant at 1pm? We could then have a back line capable of scaring the opponent and entertaining the paying bettors with some thrilling back line moves.
“Poor wingers! As long as Farrell is on 10 or 12, they never get a pass out of hand, unless the scrum half breaks on the blind side.”
William Osborn: “Anyone who knows their rugby realizes that England need to get the basics right before any creativity can take place. The set phase plays were generally much better. Farrell may have recreated the grubber kicks in the opposition’s 22, but at least two of them were Those who have seen Saracens in the Premiership will have noticed how Farrell regularly forms a kick from a grubber, then, when the opponent stops, prepares himself to kick back, fires a flat pass at someone who takes a be very difficult for Six Nations coaches to form their defense in their 22 when Farrell attacks their line.
“I was pleased with England’s performance, but it is clear that there is still a long way to go.”