ENGLAND
They're buoyed by bronze at the World Cup - but Borthwick's men are without Farrell
SIX NATIONS HIGH
You need a good memory to recall many England championship successes in recent years. The 2003 Grand Slam paved the way for RWC glory, but Eddie Jones’s 2016 clean sweep gave the nation reason to celebrate again after a disastrous home World Cup. It was clinched in Paris where tries by Danny Care, Dan Cole and Anthony Watson helped them home, 31-21.
SIX NATIONS LOW
Jones may have been at the helm for that confidence-boosting 2016 campaign but he was also in charge in 2021 when England broke new ground for all the wrong reasons. Granted, there were no spectators after Covid, but the Red Rose lost to all three home nations for the first time in 45 years, including a first home defeat to Scotland since 1983.
Although they beat France and Italy, Jones’s men finished fifth despite having started the campaign as reigning champions. It was typical of the boom and bust that seemed to characterise the Australian’s reign.
FORM GUIDE
All the focus will be on how England cope without the talismanic Owen Farrell. The Saracens skipper took the entire game by surprise when he announced his decision to step away from the international arena in order to prioritise his well-being and that of his family. Talk of a move to Racing 92 persists, so for now England must move on from their former captain.
He leaves things in a good place after finishing third at the World Cup. But Farrell isn’t the only absentee, with experienced forward duo Kyle Sinckler and Billy Vunipola overlooked by Steve Borthwick in a squad that has a fresh feel under new captain Jamie George, the veteran Saracens hooker.
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Rugby World.
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This story is from the March 2024 edition of Rugby World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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