England head coach Steve Borthwick faces major selection decisions ahead of the final Six Nations Championship match against France national rugby union team after a disappointing campaign. Following another defeat, this time to Italy national rugby union team, England must find a way to restore confidence and performance before travelling to Paris.
Bring back Marcus Smith at fly-half
One possible change is restoring Marcus Smith to his preferred fly-half position. Smith previously started eight consecutive matches in the role and was heavily involved in England’s attacking play, contributing multiple try assists.
Since then, he has often been used at full-back or from the bench. His creativity, running ability and kicking game could help bring greater attacking variety to an England side that has struggled to convert opportunities this tournament.
Add more power in the forward pack
England’s defeat by Italy highlighted an imbalance in ball-carrying responsibilities among the forwards. Introducing more physical carriers such as Ollie Chessum or Chandler Cunningham-South could provide extra momentum.
Their strength in contact could ease the workload on players like Ben Earl, allowing him to operate more effectively in wider areas where his speed can create attacking opportunities.
Consider resting captain Maro Itoje
Another significant decision could involve captain Maro Itoje, who has played an extremely heavy workload in recent seasons. His performances this tournament have been inconsistent, and he has also received two yellow cards.
Resting Itoje could provide an opportunity for other leaders to step forward while also giving the experienced lock time to recover ahead of future matches.
Reassess England’s attacking strategy
Perhaps the most complex change would involve altering England’s overall attacking approach. Despite the attacking talent available, the team has struggled to convert entries into the opposition’s 22 into points during the tournament.
Attack coach Lee Blackett has previously overseen highly effective attacking systems at club level, suggesting the potential is there. Adjusting the balance between tactical kicking and expansive play could help England rediscover their scoring edge.
With their title hopes already over, England’s final match against France now represents an opportunity to rebuild confidence and experiment with changes that could shape the team’s direction moving forward.
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