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'He went Monday': The Leicester verdict on Cole's England recall

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

New Leicester boss Richard Wigglesworth has confirmed that Dan Cole is back in the England mix, the seasoned tighthead attending a conditioning camp at the start of this week. It had been rumoured last week that the 35-year-old front-rower was in contention for Guinness Six Nations squad selection now that Steve Borthwick had taken charge following the dismissal of Eddie Jones.

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Cole hasn’t been capped by England since coming off the bench in the early stages of the 2019 World Cup final defeat to South Africa, but he was in sumptuous form last term when helping Borthwick’s Leicester to Gallagher Premiership glory and what he has to offer had now taken him back into the England fold.

No squad list was officially published by the RFU for the initial England gathering under Borthwick. However, asked about the 95-cap Cole at Thursday afternoon’s Leicester media briefing ahead of their match on Saturday at Newcastle, Wigglesworth revealed that the veteran prop had indeed been back involved at the England fitness camp ahead of the January 16 selection by Borthwick of his Six Nations squad.

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“He did (go to England camp). He went on Monday to the testing they did, which I am sure he thoroughly enjoyed,” said Wigglesworth with a chuckle.

“He is great for us, a Leicester Tigers legend, just played his 300th game for us. You’d have to ask Dan what it means (to get back involved with England). Someone who has played that many Tests for England knows exactly what it means to play for England far better than I could.

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“My view on him is he is essential to Leicester Tigers, a top, top-class tighthead prop who churns out performances week after week, so he is integral to what we do and he has been awesome for me the first couple of weeks (in charge).”

Wigglesworth added that there hadn’t been much conversation yet between him and Borthwick since his former club boss exited Leicester last month to take charge of England. “I have not really spoken to him in that capacity. I have had a couple of short conversations with him. He is a busy man, so a couple of short conversations with him. Picked his brains around a couple of things.

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“He was the one that brought me to the club. He has been the guy that has had a massive influence on me as the coach and he obviously had a huge influence at this club, so I just picked his brain around a couple of things. He has been great.”

Wigglesworth also saluted this week’s return to the England scene of George Ford, even though the out-half has yet to debut for Sale due to the injury he suffered in the first half of the Leicester title win over Saracens last June at Twickenham.

Ford was axed by Jones at the end of the 2021 Six Nations but an injury to Owen Farrell resulted in him providing bench cover to Marcus Smith during last year’s tournament. “George has got loads of rugby left in him,” reckoned the new Leicester boss.

“A top quality player for us, I loved working with him, really good relationship with him. I know how smart he is. I’m not surprised (he is back) but he won’t be the only change with it. That’s what happens when the England coach changes, the players change.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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