Rugby union analysis: How winning the Six Nations will help continue England’s path towards the 2027 World Cup
England began their hunt towards the Six Nations title with a convincing 48-7 victory over Wales at the Allianz Stadium.
A result most fans predicted would be one-way traffic and a huge mismatch - considering the issues Welsh rugby is currently facing at club and country level - offered nothing out of the ordinary, writes Sports News Blitz’s Ruben Picardo Ashworth.
The biggest surprise was that Steve Borthwick’s side failed to get 50 points on the board, after leading 29-0 at half-time, but naturally, the intensity and discipline dropped later on in the game.
Talking after the match, Borthwick said: “Ultimately, what we come away from this game is that the kicking game was strong. The set piece was strong for the most part.
“I think defensively we were excellent, generally excellent. And we created a load of opportunities which is brilliant.
“I think we probably then say, we have to be a lot more ruthless with opportunities. I think we let the pace of our attack drop late on.
“Which again, I would like that intensity, that speed to remain higher than it did.”
A result with little effect
In the broader context of today’s rugby landscape, this result is unlikely to carry much weight.
Wales are ranked 11th in the world, compared to England, who occupy third, only behind southern hemisphere giants, South Africa and New Zealand, and have only beaten Japan in the last two years.
The feeling is that England now need to take the next step and win the tournament, keeping them on the journey towards sustained success.
England have won 12 in a row, and that is no accident.
Since their exit from the 2023 World Cup, it has been a hard, long two-and-a-half years of work. However, the spine of the squad is still present.
From front-rowers Jamie George and Ellis Genge to captain and leader Maro Itoje, through to fly-half George Ford, who continues to keep the side ticking and functioning at the highest level.
Ford picked up the man of the match award against Wales, assisting two tries - both to winger Henry Arundell - ran the show and was at his playmaking best, while also showcasing his elite-level kicking game.
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Ford as future England coach
Talking about Ford, Borthwick said: “I think he is a wonderful rugby player. I’ve said this many times before. Many years from now when he decides to start coaching, he’s going to be a brilliant coach.
“I think he will coach England one day.
“I think we’re also blessed to have so many great senior players. I thought the team was really well led from the start, by Jamie George (we can carry on listing the leaders in the team). We are very fortunate to have such great players.”
However, the biggest addition to this new era side is that the youth amongst the English ranks is flourishing.
Tommy Freeman, 24, a versatile back who can play centre and wing, looks exceptional. Guy Pepper, 22, being favoured over more senior players to start at flanker.
Arundell, 23, scored a hat-trick within 35 minutes and became the youngest player to do so for England in the Six Nations, is an electric winger.
Henry Pollock, 21, a wind-up merchant but is undeniably talented and is a mainstay within the squad.
The list goes on and on, and English rugby is becoming a bigger threat.
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World-class players throughout the English ranks
Borthwick now has a plethora of talented men to choose from in each position, even when dealing with injuries.
An internal scrap is amongst the squad to be in the starting lineup.
With the game evolving, the need for squad depth is more vital than ever.
Modern rugby is no longer about having 15 world-class players with fillers on the bench. It requires quality throughout the whole squad, and England has that.
Yet despite the progress England have made, it has been six years since they last lifted the trophy and a further four since they won it as Grand Slam champions.
A gap too long for a nation of such resources and a clear sign of how vital Six Nations success is for them.
Like many top coaches, Borthwick has often expressed frustration at a focus on results rather than the process of improvement.
England are now capable of playing at the top levels throughout the whole 80 minutes, with an improved bench full of experience and strength.
In a game where Wales were ill-disciplined, the home side never seemed to leave second gear, and tactics may have been held back.
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Greater expectations
Albeit against a side struggling immensely, England ranked first in round one in dominant collisions (24), collision success (24.7%), over gainline (66), and gainline success (46.2%).
A coach’s dream and a glaring reminder of the gap in quality.
The standards are higher now.
They have clarity as a team. It's taken time, but something has changed, and it's clicked.
The game in Paris looms large, but all they can do is to take care of their own business and dispatch opponents with ruthlessness, organisation, and accuracy - qualities their closest rivals thrive on.
Wales allowed England to make mistakes unpunished, but Scotland - who are coming off of a loss in Rome - will be looking to spoil the party, this Saturday
England have not won at Murrayfield in six years, a run that reflects how difficult this fixture has become.
Scotland will again provide a demanding test, and England must continue to show their game management, cohesion, and world-class scoring ability, while improving their discipline if they want to make a statement.
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