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'Whether he is in the England squad is not my call'

By PA
(Photo by PA)

Leicester boss Steve Borthwick hailed George Ford’s influence on another dominant Gallagher Premiership display after the Tigers demolished Worcester 48-3 at Sixways.

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The league leaders’ fifth successive win this season put them seven points clear of second-placed Harlequins.

It also confirmed their best start to a Premiership campaign since the competition began 24 years ago.

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Leicester fly-half Ford, who has won 77 caps, was left out of England head coach Eddie Jones’ recent training squad.

But he has maintained impressive form ahead of Jones naming his playing group on Monday for the Autumn Nations Series that features Twickenham appointments with Tonga, Australia and South Africa.

“George did everything good today,” Leicester head coach Borthwick said. “He pulled the strings and was very, very good.

“Whether he is in the England squad is not my call, but he looked very sharp.

“I want to help my players to be the best they can be and help their aspirations.”

The Tigers were home and dry by the interval following tries for wing Harry Potter, centre Matias Moroni and hooker Julian Montoya, leaving Worcester reeling.

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Former England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth scored a bonus-point try midway through the second period, before hooker Nic Dolly claimed his fifth try of the season as Leicester ensured no let-up during the closing minutes, then wing Nemani Nadolo powered over, substitute Freddie Burns crossed and Burns added two conversions.

Ford finished with nine points from three conversions and a penalty, and Borthwick added: “We still have things to improve on and fix.

“We have Sale next, and they looked really good against Harlequins on Friday, so that will be a big challenge.

“I try to keep it simple in my own mind. I take lessons from this game, and as soon as the final whistle goes I am looking at Sale next week.

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“I’ve said to the players to enjoy this win, they worked very hard, recover well tomorrow and then think of Sale.”

Worcester, beaten 42-5 by Exeter last weekend, were once again on the end of a major drubbing as they slumped to a fourth Premiership defeat on the bounce.

Fly-half Billy Searle contributed their only points through a first-half penalty, and Leicester cut loose during the second period, scoring four tries during the final 22 minutes.

And life is not about to get any easier for Worcester, with their next two games being away against Northampton and at home to Sale.

Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas said: “It’s very difficult, it is a bitter pill to swallow and to lose in that fashion is truly disappointing.

“That was probably the most complete team performance I have seen in the Premiership in a long time. They steamrollered us, and physically they dominated.

“Your emotions are probably one of embarrassment and disappointment, but we know we are not a bad team and have to work hard to put this right.

“They are at the top of this league for a reason.”

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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
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