Brian Moore: The England issues that are ‘getting monotonous’ and would ‘vex an under-14s team’
England captain Maro Itoje and head coach Steve Borthwick.
Brian Moore has taken umbrage at England’s leadership and discipline after they made unwanted history against Italy on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick’s men became the first Red Rose side to succumb to the Azzurri following their 23-18 defeat in Rome.
It was their third loss in a row in what is turning out to be a disastrous Six Nations campaign for a team that was highly fancied to take the title.
Difficult finale in Paris
That may become four in succession as England face a daunting trip to Paris to take on a France outfit that could claim silverware with a victory this weekend.
It is not just the results but the performances with a number of experienced players making a series of stupid errors.
Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill were both sin-binned in Rome, with the captain’s indiscretion particularly “dumb” according to Moore.
Itoje admitted that in “hindsight” the incident that led to his yellow card – their seventh of the championship – was “probably better left”, but the ex-England hooker was not fully satisfied with his answer.
“He is right, but the context of the offence is also something to consider, and it should not take an inordinate amount of foresight to appreciate the following plain facts: hindsight is an excuse,” Moore wrote in his Telegraph column.
“In light of the momentum swing caused by Underhill’s offence, any further ill-discipline from England was bound to make matters much worse.
“You have to question whether Itoje’s gamble was worth taking in the first place, bearing in mind the Italians had already won the ball, but it was slow and the rest of the England defence was set.
“Moreover, he had the example of [Giacomo] Nicotera being sanctioned just minutes previously for a similar act when the Italian knocked the ball out of the hands of England’s scrum-half, Ben Spencer.
“Itoje’s yellow temporarily reduced England to 13 men and although Italy’s confidence might well have been there already, it was certainly enhanced by them being presented with these gifts and knowing that this was their best opportunity of seeing out the game.”
Overall disciplinary problems
Discipline has been an issue for England throughout the Six Nations with their seven yellow cards in contrast to Ireland, France and Scotland, who have received just two each, while Italy have had three.
“Itoje has two of England’s yellows and, set in this, harsher but factual context, the offence against Italy was just dumb. The problem that Itoje and Steve Borthwick must solve immediately is how they rectify England’s ill-discipline and remove errors that would vex an under-14s team,” Moore wrote.
Moore believes that England’s ill-discipline points to a wider issue over leadership, which has also dogged their campaign so far.
“What is more difficult to address is that in the absence of management-identified leaders like Ellis Genge, Jamie George and George Ford, which of the remaining players can step up to define, consider and then rectify the correctives needed when England are under pressure?
“We are back again to the issue of leadership and that this is getting monotonous makes it no less important.”