STEVE BORTHWICK'S England era will empower players to stick to their "super strengths".
The new England head coach swept a fresh, attacking broom through Twickenham yesterday, ushering in try-scoring tyros Cadan Murley and Ollie Hassell-Collins at the expense of senior stagers Jonny May and Jack Nowell.
Harlequins' arch-finisher Murley and London Irish flyer Hassell-Collins were among a new generation of young stars who could not quite convince former head coach Eddie Jones of their readiness for Test rugby. Borthwick has positioned himself as a Gallagher Premiership champion, though, whereas predecessor Jones stubbornly ignored club form as a Test-selection barometer.
All this has proved music to the ears of Borthwick's osses, who have no regrets on sacking Jones, even though. the 62-year-old has gone straight back to Test-level work with rivals Australia.
"I want to bring the players' super strengths onto the field," said Borthwick. "Cadan Murley has an ability to score tries and find his way to the try line. He can beat defenders in the smallest space possible and has the power to step off both feet and then accelerate. That ability is very impressive. He can also play on both wings.
This story is from the January 17, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the January 17, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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