‘It needed to happen’ – England star reveals what led to improved performance

England full-back Freddie Steward has revealed that their impressive defensive performance in victory over Argentina was inspired by a Kevin Sinfield rant.

Steve Borthwick’s team kick started their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 27-10 win over Los Pumas, despite playing the majority of the match with 14 players.

Openside flanker Tom Curry’s red card on three minutes didn’t impact their game and actually inspired them, especially defensively as they dominated their rivals.

Sinfield rocket

However, it has emerged that the source of their defensive showing was largely coach Sinfield, who had launched a tirade at the players after a shock defeat to Fiji.

“We got a bit of a rocket after that game. There were no complaints about that, it needed to happen,” England full-back Steward has revealed regarding that loss.

“We had a very thorough review, which we needed, and we reaped the benefits against Argentina. It was necessary for that to happen.

“That’s what makes Kev such a good defence coach – he’s so inspiring. He motivates us so much and he’s the sort of bloke you don’t want to let down.

“That’s testament to him as a bloke. When you go out there, part of it is you do it for him.

“You don’t want to see a guy like that, who puts his heart and soul into us in his work with his defence, feel let down.

“Kev is big on covering each other’s backs. That’s his big thing. He wants a defensive unit that are going to work incredibly hard for each other and, when it goes wrong, cover up for each other.

“Inevitably, you can be as good a defender as you want as a full-back but there are going to be times where it doesn’t go to plan and that is where you get tested. That’s his main ethos.”

The challenge for England is to build on that showing against Los Pumas, with Sinfield keen that it is not a one-off as they look to go deep in the Rugby World Cup.

“It is just a start. We saw lots of what we had seen in training against Argentina, which is pleasing, but I still feel there is so much in this team – so much improvement, so much growth,” Sinfield said.

Pleasing victory

“To get the win, given the noise that has been around us and the way the group have really circled the wagons – metaphorically that is – is really pleasing.

“We saw a fight, a spirit and attitude that the people at home supporting us and in the ground would have loved to have seen, and for us as coaches that is particularly pleasing, (but) we know we need to be better.

“Part of our challenge as coaches and part of the challenge of the playing group is to ensure this is not an anomaly, it is the start.”

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