STUDENT ENGLAND CLASS/YEAR 2023
SUBJECT: Gold star
For all the external criticism, England could not be knocked for a lack of effort. From the sending-off of Tom Curry to scraping bronze against Argentina, England gave this competition every ounce of energy. In that way, they were a credit to the rugby nation.
Commitment seems to be bred in the English bone, together with a cussed streak which shows in their delight in proving doubters wrong. They may not receive marks for aesthetics but are willing to do exactly what they are told. Some may wonder whether this is healthy but it did lead to an outstanding effort in defeat against a more balanced Boks side who looked tired and who struggled in the wet Parisian weather.
Steve Borthwick’s game plan worked superbly in that semi-final. To get within a point of such an innately superior team was a fine effort. The manager gave his men a plan and they carried it out close to perfection. Yet this can be a weakness more often than a strength.
The one area England were leaders in rugby thinking was the drop-goal. Defences have tightened through the era of defence coaches. England have the memory of Jonny Wilkinson to inspire
