"Put himself in a straight jacket" - Everyone is saying Steve Borthwick has made the same huge mistake
Rugby NewsSunday, 05 March 2023 at 08:05
It seems like every rugby fan is saying the same thing on Twitter, questioning England head coach Steve Borthwick's loyalty to captain Owen Farrell.
RUCK’s 2023 Six Nations content powered by ISUZU.
Released from the squad this week, Marcus Smith was the man of the match as Harlequins thrashed Exeter 40-5 to win Big Game 14 at Twickenham and move up to fifth place in the Premiership.
His tactical kicking was superb and he was at the centre of much that was good about his side's at times scintillating attacking play.
One fan wrote: "Steve Borthwick has a huge decision to make for the France game. On current form, Marcus Smith should start at 10."
Another commented: "Marcus Smith is proof that Steve Borthwick was never the answer. Until English rugby build a team around a Cipriani, Smith or similar, we will struggle to be more than a ‘muscle’ team."
A third said: "Just don’t understand why you get Nick Evans onboard, pick Dombrandt at 8, then sideline Smith. Borthwick has put himself in a straight jacket choosing Farrell as captain. Would love to have seen Smith given the 6 nations with Dombrandt, Slade & Lawrence"
Another wrote: "England will play boring kick kick kick rugby with boring players at 10 (Ford or farrell )whose form is not a scratch on smiths. We will nothing under borthwick, rather we bring Eddie back."
"Borthwick needs to wipe the slate clean and choose a new captain. That wouldn’t be revolutionary, just expected with a new head coach!" wrote a fifth.
A sixth added: "Marcus Smith bosses Harlequins vs Exeter 40-5. Are you watching Borthwick?"
"If borthwick was being genuine- he’ll start smith. Very much doubt it," said another.
Five players Steve Borthwick should call-up after this weekend
Silky playmakers, speedy wingers, and a hooker who never gives up make up this weekends top 5. Here are the players who impressed the most on the international break.
#1. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)
Bristol Bears beat Northampton Saints 62-8 at Ashton Gate on Friday night in Round 19 of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership
Bristol Live wrote: "The new Bristol captain is metaphorically banging down England head coach Steve Borthwick's door with performances like this as he was the catalyst for the Bears' attacking success all night in their best performance for two years."
#2. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Harlequins thrashed Exeter 40-5 to win Big Game 14 at Twickenham and move up to fifth place in the Premiership.
Marcus Smith showed why fans were delighted he was released by England as his wonderful chip over the Exeter line set Andre Esterhuizen free and he fed Murley for the opening try.
Player of the match Smith's tactical kicking was superb and he was at the centre of much that was good about his side's at times scintillating attacking play.
#3. Harry Potter (Leicester Tigers)
The Telegraph wrote: "The star of the Leicester show was uncapped wing Harry Potter, who inflicted untold mayhem upon Bath with the ball and tormented them without it.
"Potter is English-qualified, and only in December last year Borthwick – in his penultimate match as Tigers head coach – hailed Potter's Test potential. The Australian-born wing could not have done more to hold his former boss to his word on Sunday."
#4. Harry Thacker (Bristol Bears)
Bristol Live wrote: "The hooker was absolutely everywhere on the the pitch as he played the role as the key link man in multiple attacking moves while getting on the scoreboard himself."
#5. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading
