Four Radical Calls Borthwick Must Make to Revive England’s Ailing Fortunes

The final whistle at the Stadio Olimpico did not just signal another England defeat; it felt like the culmination of a creeping identity crisis. Steve Borthwick’s bold selection gambit against Italy, designed to inject dynamism, yielded only a hesitant, ‘sloppy’ display that betrayed a profound lack of confidence. With a daunting trip to Lyon to face a wounded France looming, Borthwick stands at a critical juncture. Sticking blindly with the new faces seems fraught with risk, yet a full retreat to the old guard feels like surrender. To salvage pride and build for the future, the head coach must make four decisive, and perhaps uncomfortable, selection calls.

1. Abandon the Furbank Experiment and Restore Stability at 15

George Furbank’s recall was a clear reaction to the stodgy attack against Scotland and Ireland. In theory, his playmaking from deep and superior footwork offered a new dimension. In practice, he was engulfed by the occasion and the Italian defensive line speed. England’s lack of confidence was most evident in their backfield, where communication and positioning were erratic.

For the cauldron of Lyon, Borthwick needs a calming, authoritative presence. The call is not to simply recall Freddie Steward, but to redefine his role. His unparalleled prowess under the high ball is non-negotiable against France’s aerial bombardment. However, the instruction must be to counter-attack with ambition when the opportunity arises. Stability first, but with a license to play. This is a foundational move; without a secure last line, England’s fragile system will crumble under French pressure.

• Key Change: Freddie Steward to return at fullback.
• Tactical Shift: Empower Steward as a primary kick-returner, not just a safety net.
• Outcome: Solidifies defensive structure and provides a reliable outlet to exit the relentless French phases.

2. Commit to the Smith-Ford Axis and Define the Attack

The half-back pairing of Marcus Smith and George Ford, while not flawless against Italy, showed flickers of the proactive rugby England desperately needs. The issue was not their combination, but the slow, predictable ball they received and the static attacking shape outside them. Reverting to a safer, more conservative pairing now would be a catastrophic admission that the pursuit of a modern attack is over.

Borthwick must double down. Start Smith at 10 and Ford at 12, and task them explicitly with playing at a tempo that stresses the formidable French defence. This requires a monumental shift in forward mindset, but it is essential. Ford’s game-management can temper Smith’s exuberance, while his distribution can create the space Smith thrives in. This is a long-term project, and abandoning it after one shaky outing would be myopic. They need time, clarity of instruction, and the confidence of their coach to play.

Prediction: If this partnership is given a clear, attacking mandate and quicker ruck ball, they will unpick the French defence at least three times in Lyon. The question is whether England’s finishing will have improved.

3. Reconfigure the Back Row for Power and Poise

The experiment of three ‘hybrid’ flankers in the back row—Earl, Roots, and Cunningham-South—lacked the necessary balance against Italy. While energetic, the unit was outmuscled at key moments and lacked a specialist, pilfering presence at the breakdown. Against a French pack boasting giants like Alldritt and Ollivon, this deficiency could be fatal.

Borthwick must reintroduce a specialist openside to disrupt French momentum. If Tom Curry is fit, he starts. If not, the abrasive and intelligent Sam Underhill must be recalled. This allows Ben Earl to shift to number eight, his best position, where his explosive carrying from the base can be maximised. The final spot becomes a shootout between Roots and Cunningham-South for the blindside role, with the latter’s greater physicality and ball-carrying menace likely winning out for a game of this brutality.

• Targeted Selection: Introduce a specialist jackaller (Curry/Underhill).
• Optimise Talent: Shift Earl to No. 8 for impactful carries.
• Physicality: Choose Cunningham-South at 6 for gain-line dominance.

This reformed back row offers a blend of breakdown threat, defensive grit, and much-needed ball-carrying power that was conspicuously absent in Rome.

4. Install a New Midfield General and Clarify the Defensive System

Ollie Lawrence’s return from injury is the single biggest boost to Borthwick’s options. The Bath centre is the powerful, gain-line breaking presence England’s midfield has sorely missed. His direct running fixes defenders and creates space for others, a fundamental element that has been lacking. He must start at inside centre, forming a potentially potent combination with Henry Slade outside him.

This pairing also offers a solution to England’s defensive disarray. Lawrence’s physicality in the 12 channel is a sturdy first barrier, while Slade’s reading of the game and long distribution are world-class. More importantly, Borthwick and defensive coach Felix Jones must simplify the system. The aggressive, blitz-style defence has looked confused and porous. Players are hesitating, caught between systems. A return to a more structured, connected defensive pattern, led by the vocal Slade, is imperative to withstand the multifaceted French attack.

Expert Analysis: Lawrence’s inclusion is non-negotiable. He is the human catalyst that transforms England’s backline from a conceptual threat into a physical one. His presence alone will improve the lack of confidence by providing a reliable, hard-yard option and stiffening the defensive line.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Courage, Not Compromise

Steve Borthwick’s team selection for the France game will reveal more than just his preferred XV; it will signal his philosophical direction. A retreat to the familiar will be a short-term plaster on a deep wound. The ‘sloppy’ display against Italy was a symptom of a team caught between identities, not a condemnation of the new players.

Therefore, the revival of England hinges on courageous, coherent selection. Restore Steward’s stability, commit to the creative potential of Smith-Ford, re-engineer the back row for the brutal battle ahead, and unleash Ollie Lawrence’s transformative power. These four calls are interconnected, forming a blueprint for a side that can compete physically but also threaten with ball in hand.

The result in Lyon is uncertain, but performance is paramount. Borthwick must pick a team designed not just to limit damage, but to win a Test match. That requires faith in a new direction, even when the first steps have been faltering. The alternative—selection by fear—will only prolong England’s crisis of confidence and identity.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.