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How have England reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals?
By PA
England face South Africa in the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday despite entering the competition amid rock-bottom expectations.
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Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the questions surrounding their bid to relieve the Springboks of their crown.
What has happened?
England being the solitary standard bearers for the northern hemisphere at this stage of the World Cup was a fanciful prospect when they departed for France in late August, yet while France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have fallen around them, they have advanced into the last four as the tournament’s only unbeaten side. It is some turnaround given their tribulations in the build-up.
Why was August so bad?
Maulings by Wales, Ireland and Fiji extended their losing streak to five defeats in six Tests, leading to fears that they would not even emerge from the World Cup’s weakest group. Suddenly clashes with Argentina, Japan and Samoa seemed like mountains to climb. The lowest ebb came in their tournament send-off at Twickenham when Fiji prevailed 30-22 in their first ever victory against England. Expectations were at an all-time low.
How did they turn it around?
Through a combination of good fortune and competence. Fiercest pool rivals Argentina were clueless and were routed even though England had Tom Curry sent off after 179 seconds, while Japan were a shadow of the team that lit up the 2019 World Cup. That meant by the time they faced a brilliant Samoa they had already qualified as group winners. England were blessed by being picked in the easier side of the draw – and there was no easier battleground than Pool D – but they also played smart rugby, faced down adversity and overall struck the right note in selection, even showing a flair for innovation by picking Marcus Smith at full-back that is a credit to the management.
What role has their conditioning played?
For all the despair of August, it is possible to caveat those results as details emerged after England’s arrival in France that the players had been subjected to unusually high training loads during the Test weeks. It drained them of energy, most noticeably against Ireland, with a view to ensuring they would peak for the key group match against Argentina – who they duly battered. The objective then was to be ready for the quarter-final, the stage by which their World Cup success would be judged, and on Saturday they edged a tense battle with Fiji that has provided the required pass mark.
Can they win it?
South Africa’s epic victory over France in the quarter-finals has seen the reigning champions installed as odds-on favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy via a conclusive win over England, but Steve Borthwick’s team have a puncher’s chance. The Springboks are a significant step up in class compared to any opponent they have faced, but England have the muscle to take them on up-front, field some genuine threats in attack – Smith, Ben Earl and Joe Marchant among them – and have developed the priceless knack of finding a way to win. Memories of being overwhelmed in Yokohama in 2019 will drive them on, as will the imminent retirement of a number of long-serving stars, but it remains colossal challenge.
England’s improved fortunes are to be commended given the short time Borthwick has been in charge but I honestly can’t see us making the final. SA will enjoy their customery support from the officials but the bottom line is that we are just not good enough right now to be in this year’s RWC final.
I agree, England look to have turned the corner. Can’t wait to see them dish out a few surprises in the semis.
Dear PA , what sort of bollocks is that ! Borthwick is a really nice bloke and that’s a fact, but another fact is that Stevie Wonder could have reached the semis in that group,(with no disrespect to such a top class musician).
Fiji could easily have won that game had they simply not pathetically kicked so much ball away (or simply had a kicker to convert their hard won penalties), and of course had the game been refereed by a more competent ref.
Its therefore hard to bear such delusional crap from the UK Rugby media about how great England have magically become, especially after watching two truly incredible teams, Ireland and France missing out on the Semis, after England have been gifted a place from a draw found in a box of IRB cornflakes!
Its a harsh but unfair world indeed ! Get real, there is an even harsher reckoning a-coming.
Yeah well, they lost their Empire… may have won the Boer War - but lost every battle in that war!
England is impossible to cheer for.
The draw, numb-nuts, that’s the only way they have. Everyone with half a brain knew they would make the semis not because of anything except luck of the draw.
And the Easter Bunny’s due to visit their training camp. No chance of beating Boks