Steve Borthwick, head coach of England’s national rugby team, is preparing for a strategic scouting mission in New Zealand following the conclusion of the Six Nations tournament. The team’s recent performance has generated optimism and enthusiasm, prompting Borthwick to lay the groundwork for an upcoming encounter with the formidable All Blacks.
After an impressive victory over Ireland and a closely contested match against France, England’s rugby team has generated significant excitement and anticipation. Despite finishing third in the Six Nations, their strong showing against top international teams has not gone unnoticed. Their spirited play marks a shift towards their most ambitious rugby in four years.
As England looks ahead to the Autumn Nations Series, Borthwick and Aled Walters, the head of strength and conditioning, are set to embark on a scouting mission in New Zealand. Along with preparations for the upcoming tour in Japan, this strategic trip underscores their commitment to advancing the team’s prospects.
Expressing his intent, Borthwick stated, “I’ve got to go and put plans in place for where we are going to be and how we will do it, so that we prepare properly.” He also highlighted the importance of selecting the best available players, ensuring a competitive edge in upcoming fixtures.
Reflecting on England’s performance in the Six Nations, fly-half George Ford acknowledged a transformative shift in their approach following a challenging defeat to Scotland. He emphasised the team’s renewed emphasis on attacking play and their collective determination to evolve into a more potent force on the field.
“Our mindset since the Scotland game has been to really go at teams with the ball in hand,” stated Ford. “We had to make a choice. It was off the back of that game when we had to have a few honest conversations about things and decide what team we want to be.”
Acknowledging the team’s progress, Ford expressed optimism, saying, “We’re improving and there’s a good base. We still need to improve on that but the penny’s dropped in terms of what type of team we want to be.”
The upcoming tour to New Zealand and Japan holds promise for England’s national rugby team, with Borthwick’s strategic mission poised to lay the groundwork for an exciting phase in their journey. As they continue to build on their recent successes, the team remains poised to navigate the upcoming challenges and achieve their desired outcomes.