England boss Steve Borthwick’s post-match comments following their defeat against Scotland at Murrayfield hasn’t impressed fans.
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It’s very clear that when you make that many handling errors at this level, it’s very difficult to win,” said Borthwick.
“Especially against a team of Scotland’s quality. We have got to make sure we respect what a good team Scotland are and the chances they took.
“Ultimately we made it too easy for them to score in terms of the chances they took but they were very clinical. Huge lesson for our team as we develop. The number of turnovers makes it very difficult to win.”
He added: “What you saw at this level is a team that is trying to develop, trying to add layers to the game and made errors today and got punished. Sometimes you get away with it and sometimes you don’t. Against a team like Scotland, you don’t. It’s a big learning experience, it’s a painful lesson.
“As you start to look at it against a Scotland team that has been together a long time, their 10/12/13 [Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones] has started a dozen Tests together. I think that is the first time our 10/12/13 have started together and it looked like that. It looked like a lack of cohesion in what they did and too many fundamental errors.
“After a defeat, you are always disappointed. After a performance where you don’t think you have maximized your potential, it’s always disappointing.
“It doesn’t matter the result, the scoreboard, in that sense. If you don’t maximise your potential, it’s disappointment and I don’t think the team maximized their potential today.”
“Experiment failed” – Five players Steve Borthwick should drop – and who should start against Ireland
#1. Ollie Lawrence
Telegraph 4/10: “Perhaps unsurprisingly was not on the same page as Ford and Slade in both attack and defence in their first game together. Badly fell off a tackle on Redpath that led to Scotland’s third try.”
Planet Rugby 4/10: “Barely saw him in an attacking sense. A few carries, one bad pass, one dropped ball – although that was George Ford’s fault – but not the form we’ve seen in the Premiership.”
RUCK 5/10: “Not what the Bath centre would have wanted upon his return from injury. The powerhouse came alive with some clattering hits, yet threw a wayward pass into touch at 76 minutes that summed up his afternoon. So much more was wanted from England fans, who were excited to see him comeback.”
Replacement: Manu Tuilagi