England’s defeat to Ireland highlights deeper issues within the team and Borthwick’s leadership

England’s latest collapse in their Six Nations campaign, suffering a seventh defeat in nine games, is a crushing blow to Steve Borthwick’s leadership. Despite his character and technical acumen, his repeated excuses, particularly about the inexperience of his players, are starting to ring hollow. His insistence on blaming this factor for their failures is not only infuriating supporters but is beginning to undermine the belief in the side’s potential.

In his post-match analysis, Borthwick pointed to his team’s indiscipline as they squandered a 10-5 half-time lead, eventually falling to Ireland. Despite the referee’s questionable decisions during Ireland’s 22 unanswered points, Borthwick avoided criticising the match officials and instead, focused on “execution factors” and how his team had failed in key moments of attack, defence, and the kicking game.

However, this approach recalls the downfall of Borthwick’s predecessor, Eddie Jones, and his inability to overcome similar challenges. Both coaches are known for their attention to detail, but when it’s time to lift the team’s spirits and rally the supporters, this focus on technicalities fails to inspire hope. For all of Borthwick’s talk of “processes” and “journeys,” England’s lack of belief in themselves was apparent in their collapse in the final quarter of the game.

Even more troubling is Borthwick’s repeated use of inexperience as a reason for the team’s shortcomings. While there’s some truth to the difficulty of bringing in new players and integrating them into the side, it’s equally concerning that Borthwick seems to believe experience alone guarantees success. This is an argument that ignores how France, with fewer caps than England, triumphed with a Grand Slam in 2022. Experience doesn’t guarantee victory; it’s how the team uses it that matters.

For England, the issue lies in their tactical approach. They are too rigid, adhering to a “horses-for-courses” mentality, and failing to adapt when the opposition finds a way to counteract their strategy. Despite the character and effort shown by players like Tom Curry, who hobbled through the match, and the anguish visible on the players’ faces, Borthwick’s insistence on sticking to the original plan means they are not equipped to deal with evolving challenges.

In the modern world of rugby, character alone can no longer be enough. England must evolve tactically, shed the reliance on inexperience as an excuse, and show the kind of flexibility and innovation that will allow them to consistently compete at the highest level.