Brian Moore: Steve Borthwick’s approach ‘wearing thin’ as England legend offers theory for controversial Marcus Smith substitution

Former England front-rower Brian Moore believes that Steve Borthwick risks the wrath of the supporters if he refuses to answer perfectly reasonable concerns honestly.

The head coach has been criticised in the aftermath of their agonising 24-22 defeat to the All Blacks for taking off Marcus Smith with 18 minutes remaining.

Smith had been England’s best player, kicking 17 points and setting up Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s try with a fine intercept and break, but Borthwick brought on George Ford to close out the game.

However, it was a decision which backfired as Ford missed the tackle that allowed Mark Tele’a to score the match-winning try before the replacement was awry with two late kicks.

Borthwick’s approach to the media

Borthwick remained coy post-match when offering an explanation, pointing to the quality that Ford offers.

It is an approach the former Leicester Tigers boss has always had with the media, but Moore thinks that it is “wearing thin” with the fans.

“We have long since gone past the point where coaches of any sport, at any level, are properly candid in post-match interviews,” he wrote in his Telegraph column.

“Virtually nobody comes out and admits to making mistakes, and some will say that is a good thing, because reflection needs to be undertaken before you open your mouth.

“This is all well and good, particularly as it is not going to change, but what England rugby fans must hope is that England’s recent debriefing sessions involve ownership of errors and accountability as a result – by players and coaches.

“Steve Borthwick’s post-match comment that ‘it is important to recognise how much went right’ is the sort of statement that, whilst having partial validity, is wearing thin with England supporters after seeing their team fail to get over the line in a succession of games in which they have held what should have been defendable leads going into the final minutes.

“If nobody from the England management is prepared to answer eminently reasonable questions such as: ‘Why did you substitute Marcus Smith at 62 minutes, particularly when George Ford has had limited game time recently?’

“Or if they offer platitudes such as: ‘We thought it was the right decision at the time’, then they cannot complain if the media and the supporters offer their own answers, and they get criticised as a result.”

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Moore queried whether Borthwick’s decision to replace Smith implied that the head coach did not trust the Harlequins star to keep playing at that high level for the whole Test.

‘Equal of his challengers’

“Smith’s game has improved incrementally over the past two years, to the point where his overall game management and defence are now the equal of his challengers, while he retains the elements of mercuriality that are a point of distinction,” the former hooker wrote.

“What Borthwick’s decision to remove him after just over an hour suggests is that he is not thought to be an 80-minute player, and this is particularly important given the pivotal position of the fly-half.

“If this is so, say so, not least because the player needs to know what deficiencies need to be rectified. If it is not, how is Smith ever going to be an 80-minute Test player if he is not picked regularly for a full game and against the best opponents available?”

Moore also suggested that, while teams can find a winning mentality, the opposite is also true and has warned England about getting into a rut.

“Borthwick can ponder the slim margins in Test rugby and ruminate about the width of a post, but if we are not taken into the real analysis of these losses, the criticism that he receives will continue, even if he regards it as ignorant,” he added.

“Top teams are often described as acquiring a winning mentality, where they psychologically retain faith in their systems and ability.

“If this is so, it is also possible to acquire a losing mentality; this is what England have to face, and do so honestly, even if they do not want to do this publicly.”

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