Jason Robinson: Steve Borthwick has a lot of questions to answer as England are playing not to lose
Robinson on England's disappointing Six Nations form.
World Cup winner Jason Robinson has added to the pressure on Steve Borthwick ahead of Saturday’s potential date with disaster in Paris by declaring: “Nobody knows who this England team are any more.”
The cross-code legend is still reeling from England’s first ever loss to Italy, a third straight defeat for Borthwick’s men in a Six Nations campaign going from bad to worse.
He has seen the country he helped conquer the world brought to its knees in successive games by Scotland, Ireland and the Azzurri; in double-quick time shrink from a side being talked of as serious World Cup contenders to one rewriting the history books for all the wrong reasons.
Worst-ever finish?
Add another defeat in France this weekend and they will become the first England team ever to lose four games in a single Six Nations tournament. That, in turn, would give them a worst-ever fifth place finish.
So bad has the last month been that the Rugby Football Union felt it necessary on Sunday to respond to fan unrest by delivering their verdict on England’s campaign with a game still to play.
That never happens, yet the blazers at Twickenham see which way the wind is blowing. Champions-elect France are not just favourites with bookmakers to beat Les Rosbifs, they are rated a massive 16 points better.
“Coming into this Six Nations, England were on an incredible winning run and the tide has now completely turned,” Robinson told Planet Rugby.
“At the moment, England don’t have any answers. Sometimes you may have a couple of players slightly off it, but right now there is nobody standing out and playing at the required levels you would expect in the Six Nations.
“England have lost most of their structure. Nobody knows who this England team are any more. Steve Borthwick has a lot of questions to answer.”
The Cumbrian’s response has been to keep faith with the players who botched the Italian job. The only change to the starting XV will see Ollie Chessum replace Sam Underhill in the back-row.
Guy Pepper will move from blindside into Underhill’s No.7 jersey, with Chessum getting his first England start at No.6 since this very fixture in Lyon two years ago.
Robinson, speaking on behalf of BetSelect, said: “England have one of the poorest attacks in this Six Nations, which should in no way be the case with the strength in depth that they have.
“In defence, they’ve been all over the place, which you would never normally see – players flying off the line.”
The collapse of their attack game is all the more alarming given how Lee Blackett transformed it in summer and autumn of last year after joining the staff from champions Bath.
“Lee is one of the best coaches, from an attack point of view, I’ve ever seen,” England great Jonathan Joseph told Planet Rugby at the time. “He gets the game. He completely gets it.
“His detail is brilliant. His feedback to the lads, or in meetings, is really good, really precise. I think he’ll do a fantastic job at England. The way us, as supporters of English rugby, want to see this team play, he will definitely unlock that potential.”
Joseph is not back tracking now. In quotes attributed to him by the For The Love of Rugby podcast, he blames Borthwick for effectively clipping Blackett’s wings.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
“Steve is a great forwards coach, there’s absolutely no doubt,” said Joseph. “But it’s pretty clear attack is bottom of his priority.
“If he’s not willing to let Lee have more time in the week to do what Lee is very good at doing, if boys aren’t being backed to attack without the pressure of mistakes being at the forefront of their mind, then something has to change.
“I agree with Lenny [Ben Youngs], it doesn’t matter who’s playing in that team at the minute. We can no longer just rely on kicking game and set piece… those days are gone.”
Confidence is low
Robinson, for one, is not about to disagree. He gives the impression he will watch Saturday night’s Six Nations finale from behind the sofa.
“We don’t seem to have a game plan or the answers to know how to break teams down in attack,” he lamented.
“From an attacking point of view, when you’ve lost this much confidence, it’s difficult to see how England can win playing a predictable kick game and feeding off scraps.
“At this stage they look like they are trying not to lose.”
Jason Robinson spoke exclusively to Planet Rugby on behalf of BetSelect.co.uk.
