The position Marcus Smith should switch to and the attack coach England need back

Former Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has called on Steve Borthwick’s England to bring Nick Evans back into the fold if they are to ignite their attacking game.

England’s attack has stalled under Borthwick, a theme carried over from the latter days of Eddie Jones’ tenure, with the men in white struggling to convert possession in the 22 into points.

In April Harlequins confirmed that Evans would not be rejoining England’s coaching team for the World Cup. Borthwick had hoped to retain the New Zealander’s services for this autumn’s tournament in France as well as its build-up having appointed the former New Zealand fly-half to his staff on a short-term basis for the Six Nations.

“Nick is an unbelievable attack coach. He is the one who got me enjoying my rugby again. Not just being told what to do from a scripted piece of paper; he encouraged players to make decisions on the field,” Baldwin told Grosvenor Sport.

“That was really refreshing for me. That is something I want to take into my coaching. I have an understanding of both sides of the ball. At Harlequins I went out and enjoyed my rugby; I had a freedom about me. My mindset shifted when I joined Harlequins and went back to Wales I wanted to have another crack and I did really enjoy my rugby again which I did and got back in the Welsh squad.

“England could do with him. England look like a team that is playing by numbers. I don’t think they’re in a brilliant space at the moment. There are so many areas of uncertainty such as what their back row looks like, how it should be mixed up.

“I would love to see Danny Care starting, he brings tempo to the game.”

Baldwin also believes that Quins’ playmaker Marcus Smith should switch positions if he is to thrive under Borthwick’s regime.

“For me Marcus is a world class player although I might be a bit biased! Warren Gatland has said he is a superstar in the making if he is not already.

“I would love to see Marcus have a run at full-back. That’s not an indictment of Freddie Steward.  I was speaking to Marcus a couple of weeks ago and told him that and how I’d love to see him hitting the line, swapping with Freddie Steward when necessary for those high ball catches. He is such an exciting player, he gets bums off seats.”

The new Newcastle Falcons defence coach, who retired as a player at the end of last year, thinks England would have been better off if they stayed with Jones.

“I know Eddie Jones has got some flak. But if he was coaching England you’d be sitting in that meeting room as a player, understanding exactly where they are going and what’s expected of you.

“I get frustrated; everyone wants personalities in the game and to be outspoken and put their cards on the table, but when they do they get called out for it.

“I watched Australia over the last few games; the first game against the All Blacks they got held up over the line twice in the first half, and the next week in New Zealand they led 20-6 but they aren’t used to being in that position. The All Blacks found a way to win. But that would have given the Aussies real confidence.

“I have no doubt Australia would have learned a lot from that. Australia I think are in a really good place. As a player when your coach comes out backing you publicly, it puts a lot onto the player and they grow a lot of self-belief from that.”

additional reporting PA