England star sits out training as Borthwick handed selection headache

I was initially bullish about England’s long-term prospects under Borthwick. Particularly after what I thought was a good outcome for England at the World Cup.

But I failed to discount my optimism by factoring in the relatively easy WC draw England had in 2023. And the fact that Borthwick was probably riding the outgoing tide of the Eddie Jones era. And the excellent players and resources he had at his disposal.

Despite his dubious legacy, Eddie Jones is probably the best coach England’s had for a generation. And he had the tenure of some excellent generational talent - which Borthwick also had in his favour in 2023. Some of them are still around. Just older. There are some exciting youngsters about, but I don’t think Borthwick will get the best out of them.

England’s up and down performance at the 6 Nations, followed by a pretty poor campaign in New Zealand, against a New Zealand team even Argentina could beat once at home, has convinced me that the Borthwick coaching team has no substance to suggest anything but more mediocrity.

That he’s not been able to retain the services of Felix Jones - a real up and coming wunderkind with a RWC gold medal - after less than a year’s service under the cloud of an unhappy working environment - and I’m even more convinced that Borthwick has the charisma of a portable toilet. I suppose he gets a job done but it ain’t a

pleasant nor an enduring experience.

If the England public are going to be content with the maximum ambition of moving from 5th to 4th in the world over the next 3 years- as suggested by Finn - I’d be very surprised.

If the English Public are going to accept England dropping further down the rankings, being surpassed by Argentina and probably Australia over the next three years - I’d be shocked out of my socks.

Better coaches have been dispatched for doing better than that - hence my prediction that Borthwick won’t see the 2027 World Cup. England needs an Andy Farrell.

The next 6 months are make or break for Borthwick.

Oh and of course your countrymen are so skill-short that they leave it to their ladies - and a few immigrants - to play that other game of real skill after rugby, football/soccer, which is where the majority of the rest of the sportsmen of the world earn their money, and lots and lots of it, too.

And don't start me on your other stupid yank game, baseball!!

It's kinda like watching the 100m sprint as opposed to a 10km walking race. Sure the walkers have endurance... but nobody will pay to watch the walkers cuz they are boring. So what if they train to go a longer distance. The 100m guy could train for that but why would he? He's making big $$$$$