The most recent ex-star to criticise the present head coach Steve Borthwick following his team’s recent defeat is former England captain, Will Carling.
He wrote on Twitter: “‘The players keep fighting until the end’ Borthwick – isn’t that just a basic requirement of playing for England, not something that we herald as a positive? When you wear that shirt, certain fundamentals must be a given – fighting every second is just one surely”
Earlier today, Cipriani also called out the current regime.
He pointed out that the leadership in place lacks a deep understanding of the intricacies of the game.
“If you’re trained to think and not to feel you’re always going to be one step behind,” he wrote on Twitter.
“English rugby is digging its own grave, led by people that do not understand the art of the game.
“It’s steeped in tradition and heritage, which is outdated and the very thing shackling the game.”
“It is all ‘how tough can I show to the world I am?’ Bravado. It will only ever bring a certain level of performance,” he added.
“Mercer recalled” – 5 England flops DROPPED, and who Borthwick call-up
Outlined below are five players who underperformed against Ireland. Additionally, we assess the potential candidates, based on their merits, who could take their places in the squad.
#1. Billy Vunipola
Telegraph 2/10: “Spilled a clearance kick, to the delight of Dublin. His head shot on Andrew Porter was inevitably upgraded to a red by the bunker. Another ban looms, as does a crisis at No.8 for Borthwick. “
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Having failed to sparkle seven days earlier, a huge step forward in performance was needed. It didn’t happen, his day ending with a red card via the TMO bunker. Borthwick claims Vunipola is as fit as he has ever seen him but that S&C didn’t emerge in this display where he looked leggy getting around despite being level with Genge at the short whistle on the pack ball-carrying metres. Two penalty concessions and a cheap knock-on that generated jeers from the home crowd highlight his first half difficulties. Sent packing for his yellow-carded shot on Andrew Porter 13 minutes into the second half, an incident soon upgraded to red due to “high degree of danger, no wrap, no mitigation”.”
Evening Standard 3/10: “The difficulty of avoiding high tackles basically does not matter any more. This is the reality and players have to adapt, and fast, or end up letting their teams down.”
REPLACEMENT: Zach Mercer, who should have been in the squad anyway