Ben Youngs launches verbal tirade on ‘madness’ gameplan as he slates England’s ‘lack of ideas’
Ben Youngs launches verbal tirade on 'madness' gameplan as he slates England's 'lack of ideas'
Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs has launched into a verbal tirade against his former side after their devastating loss to Italy in round four of the Six Nations.
Speaking on his For The Love Of Rugby podcast, Youngs said exasperatedly: “Are we really gonna accept losing to Italy? Like, really, is that where we’re at? I don’t think so. Like, we’re better than that. The players are better than that. The talent out there is better than that.
“The way it’s set up with central contracts, resources, players, coaches, that should not be happening. I just don’t agree that that should be happening.”
RFU forced into a statement
Italy’s victory in Rome was the first time the national side had beaten England, which for the visitors signalled a very sharp warning to those in charge.
Steve Borthwick’s tenure at the helm of England is coming under fire from the media and fans, and as a result, the RFU have been forced to release a statement.
“After a 12-match winning run, these past three results have been hugely disappointing, and we feel that just as much as everyone else,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.
“Steve and his coaching team are working tirelessly to make improvements, and we remain fully committed to supporting them and the players as they face France this weekend and then look ahead to the Nations Championship.”
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“It’s the same errors”
For Youngs, however, serious changes need to be made, and quickly.
“It’s the manner of the results, and it’s the lack of breakaway from the game plan,” continued Youngs. “It’s the lack of ideas. It’s the same errors.
“England looked like a team today set up to just not lose rather than go win it. And we’re going to approach like that in a game against Italy? The whole setup’s wrong.
“That’s not the mindset. I never go into a game thinking that. Madness. And I think if we accept this, that that’s okay, and that’s where we’re at, that’s not acceptable, accepting that.”
England have one more huge challenge before they can sign off their disastrous Six Nations campaign, and that will be against the championship leaders, France.
If England take victory, then they have an opportunity to finish in fourth place – but only if Italy lose. However, if Wales do beat Italy and England lose, then England could finish bottom for the first time ever.
READ MORE: Louis Lynagh on ‘key moment’ two years ago that led to toppling England and ‘creating history’