According to the negativity-inducing RFU, coverage of rugby in this country is far too down-beat, so here is a concerted attempt to see the glass half-full. There are reasons to believe that England’s slump could be over soon.
In fact, there are many reasons to believe that Steve Borthwick’s national team could emerge from the rubble of their horror year to become contenders to win the Six Nations. Seriously. Some of the scorelines inflicted on Premiership clubs over the weekend, in both the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, may mean that any English optimism requires a leap of faith, but there are grounds for it, nonetheless.
Union in-fighting at Twickenham has left a giant dark cloud over the sport in these parts, but amid the gloom there are glimmers of light. Put aside the absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso due to his need for shoulder surgery – as first reported by Mail Sport – and positive developments have been stacking up. It doesn’t mean England are suddenly going to turn into world-beaters, but as they fly to Spain for a pre-tournament training camp, stars are aligning in their favour at least.
After losing seven of their 12 Tests in 2024, Borthwick’s side needed a change of course. In response to that grim return, some good decisions have been made and some good fortune has helped too.
There will be a shift in defensive emphasis away from the high-risk, high-reward blitz favoured by Felix Jones and that is a sensible option. It will suit new defence coach Joe El-Abd and most of the players in the squad should be able to adapt to the altered line-speed orders quickly. Furthermore, the departure of Jones – after his odd autumn role as a remote analyst – provides a clean break.
Changing the captain also makes sense, despite the short-notice way it was communicated. Jamie George performed the role with admirable commitment and passion and man-management flair, but England need an 80-minute skipper and Maro Itoje fits that bill. If he can rise to the leading-by-example task, it could be a transformative alteration by the embattled head coach.
Marcus Smith is one of three fly-half contenders; emphasising England’s strength in depth
Steve Borthwick’s side have faced challenges but they could still impress in the Six Nations
The return to action of Ollie Chessum represents a significant boost for England and Leicester
Forget the Leicester result on Sunday– Ollie Chessum’s return is a huge boost for club and country. If he can reach Test-match sharpness rapidly in training, he should be a shoo-in to start at blindside flanker in England’s championship opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 1. If he is deemed to be not quite ready for starting XV duty, Chandler Cunningham-South has signalled a timely return to form with a Man of the Match display for Harlequins in their win over Glasgow.
With George now facing a battle to keep hold of his place as first-choice hooker, Luke Cowan-Dickie is another familiar figure who is back near the peak of his powers. His recent performances for Sale have been tough, abrasive and relentless, not least in defence. He can enhance English front-row clout, as can his rookie club-mate, Asher Opoku-Fordjour – whose rise has allowed Borthwick to finally end the over-reliance on Dan Cole.
There are more ticks in other boxes. England have been short of a rampaging force of nature at No 8 and Tom Willis has come into the equation for that role, as one of the form players in all of Europe this season. The powerful Saracen might have to bide his time, but at least he has stormed into the reckoning and given Borthwick yet another back-row contender to consider. An area of strength has been further reinforced, to counter-act the loss of Sam Underhill once more.
In the back line, while there has been a focus on the need for midfield improvement, there is good news elsewhere. Freddie Steward has fully earned another shot at the starting full-back slot, given his imperious exploits for Leicester – again, prior to yesterday’s blow-out in the south of France. The setback of losing Feyi-Waboso is marginally eased by the way Tom Roebuck has continued to show Test class for Sale.
Then there’s the 10 conundrum. At least England have stellar options. What other countries would give to be forced to choose between Marcus Smith, Fin Smith and George Ford. No wonder Fergus Burke – Saracens’ summer recruit – opted to pledge allegiance to Scotland. He can see a route to caps north of the border, which doesn’t exist south of it, at least in the short term.
That’s not all in the reasons-for-optimism check-list. Soon, Borthwick will have Phil Morrow on board as a world-class performance director and that is a major coup. More immediately, Ireland could be vulnerable to an ambush on the opening weekend, just as they were in the autumn when they sunk to a tame defeat against the All Blacks. As an additional factor, Andy Farrell is in Lions mode now, leaving his assistant, Simon Easterby, in charge.
France will come to Twickenham on February 8 as many people’s title favourites this year, with the great Antoine Dupont back at the helm. But Fabien Galthie’s team are without the influential Gael Fickou in the opening rounds and they face England and Ireland away from home, which is a big ‘ask’ at the best of times.
Scotland also fancy their chances again, but that seems to be an annual occurrence before they crash to earth. Let’s reserve judgment on their latest feel-good phase, not least because captain Sione Tuipulotu is in danger of missing the start of the championship with a chest injury.
So, as England start their preparations in Girona, they have cause to believe that – after a painful, barren year – they can be contenders again this time. There is a lot of work to do in a hurry, but renewed hope too.
Luke Cowan-Dickie is another familiar figure who is back near the peak of his powers
Tom Roebuck’s performances for Sale have marginally eased the impact of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s injury
Italy full of hope going into Six Nations
Among the most striking results of the weekend came in Treviso, where Benetton lowered the colours of La Rochelle – who won the Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023. The hosts’ 32-25 win over Ronan O’Gara’s formidable visitors reinforces a mood of Italian hope heading into the Six Nations.
Last year, they finished fifth but were so close to a breakthrough campaign. They came agonisingly close to a maiden victory over England, drew with France in Lille, then beat Scotland at home and Wales in Cardiff. Only Ireland properly put away the Azzurri.
In November, Italy gave New Zealand a scare before subsiding to a 29-11 defeat and now the core of their squad – including captain Michele Lamaro – will be buoyed by their seismic result with Benetton.
It is a quarter of a century since the introduction of the Italians into Europe’s annual showpiece Test event and there are signs that, at long last, they are amassing a sufficient depth of talent to consistently threaten their Six Nations rivals. Wooden Spoon holders Wales won’t relish a trip to Rome in round two, especially if they have been put to the sword by France on the opening night of the tournament, to extend their losing run to 13 Tests.
Bennetton’s win against La Rochelle reinforced a mood of Italian hope ahead of the Six Nations
Stopping Damian Penaud will be a tough task
Thoughts and prayers for all defence coaches going into the Six Nations, trying to work out how to stop Damian Penaud. Good luck with that one. On Sunday, Bordeaux’s try machine scored a double hat-trick against the toothless Sharks, in a 66-12 win, to propel his club into the knock-out rounds of the Champions Cup as top seeds. Yannick Bru’s swashbuckling side have demolished all-comers so far and their electric back line will be a threat to even the supreme title holders, Toulouse.
Frankly, at this juncture, only Leinster appear capable of preventing an all-French final between those Top 14 rivals in Cardiff in May. Organisers could start sketching out the promotional campaign now.
As for Penaud, there is something about his appearance and demeanour which doesn’t mark him out as a rugby alpha, but the floppy hair, rolled-down socks and often casual expression bely a world-class talent. At 28 and with 36 tries in his 53 Test appearances to date, he is among the finest finishers of the modern era and – having touched down 10 times already – he is destined to beat Chris Ashton’s 11-try record for a European campaign.
Attempting to stop France star Damian Penaud will be a very difficult challenge
Anthony Watson forced to retire too soon
Anthony Watson has become the latest high-profile player to be forced to retire too soon, as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers and demands of this punishing sport.
The England and Lions wing opted to end his career, based on medical advice, at the age of 30 – having been beset by serious injuries in recent years. It was a sensible life decision, as he said: ‘My body will carry a significant amount of deficiency as a result of playing rugby. Stopping now probably allows me to do the basic things I need to do as a dad, husband and son.’
At his best, Watson was a deadly runner and prolific try-scorer. He had the distinction of a key role in England’s all-time-great win over the All Blacks in Yokohama in 2019 – two years after helping the Lions upset the same near-unbeatable opponents in their capital city, in front of a vast ‘sea of red’ in Wellington. Lately, Watson has made his mark as a board member for the new Team England Rugby management company. Representing the interests of players is a calling which he is sure to continue pursuing with relish and insight.
Anthony Watson has become the latest high-profile player to be forced to retire too soon
England will hope that Alex Mitchell’s injury isn’t serious and that he only has a dead leg
Last Word – England will hope Alex Mitchell’s injury isn’t serious
Borthwick and all England fans will be desperately hoping that Northampton’s initial prognosis was accurate and that Alex Mitchell merely suffered a dead leg in the Saints’ epic win over Munster. The scrum-half limped off near the end of a pulsating close encounter on Saturday, having had repeated treatment and strapping, after taking a bang to the knee. Losing him to another untimely injury would have a profound impact on England’s title prospects.
Mitchell is a vital figure these days, whenever he is fit, which he wasn’t in the autumn. The national team badly missed him as they lost three out of four games at home. In summary, what the 27-year-old offers is control, tempo and spark.
None of his domestic rivals – for now at least – can match that rounded repertoire. Ben Spencer couldn’t seize his chance in November, while Harry Randall has been retained but has not yet looked truly convincing at international level.
Jack van Poortvliet is surely the next cab off the rank again, but he is still striving for the personal heights he reached Down Under in the summer of 2022, while Raffi Quirke has shone in bursts but hasn’t managed to string together appearances and stellar performances. So, England really, badly need Mitchell. They will await updates with bated breath and with fingers crossed.
