Steve Borthwick, the current England head coach, has been facing some criticism from former captain Nick Easter regarding his recent comments about the pressure on the team. Easter, who has represented England in 54 caps and played in three World Cups, dismissed Borthwick’s claims that the England shirt feels heavy as “nonsense.” He also disagreed with current captain Jamie George’s statement that England is a clever team, calling it “ridiculous.”
England has struggled in their recent matches, losing five out of their last six Tests since their victory against Ireland at Twickenham. Their only win during this period was against Japan, whom they will face in their upcoming match. Easter believes that playing for the national team is a privilege and that suggesting the pressure is too heavy only serves to make excuses and victimize the players.
According to Easter, international rugby comes with its own set of pressures, but it is essential to embrace the challenge of representing your country against top-quality opposition. He emphasized that successful teams, like New Zealand, always face pressure but still manage to perform consistently. Easter highlighted that England’s basic skills and execution of tactics seem to be lacking compared to other top teams.
Easter also criticized England’s defensive capabilities and set-piece performance, particularly pointing out the issues in the scrum. He suggested that the team’s reliance on individual moments of brilliance, such as those from Marcus Smith, was not sufficient for consistent success. Players like Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, and Tommy Freeman were singled out for their quiet performances during the autumn matches.
Comparing the current England team to the squads that reached the World Cup finals in 2003 and 2007, Easter noted that those teams excelled in high-pressure situations and knew how to secure victories, especially in the closing stages of games. He emphasized the importance of being able to handle tough and gritty situations, which are crucial in international rugby.
In conclusion, Easter’s insights shed light on the challenges facing the England team under Steve Borthwick’s leadership. The pressure of international rugby is undeniable, but it is essential for the players and coaching staff to work together to overcome these obstacles and strive for better performances on the field. The upcoming match against Japan will be a test for England to showcase their abilities and work towards regaining their winning form.
