Why Aren’t England Winning?

Are England too soft up front? World Cup winner Mike Tindall has his say.
Tune in with Payno, Hask, Tins and ex-French international Benjamin Kayser as The Good, The Bad & The Rugby's Six Nations coverage continues!
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[@paulhaggett3710]

Kudos to all those rugby players that are brave enough to play at that level. I have nothing but respect and watch the games in awe!!!

[@SmcdMcd-d2k]

I cry in pain when I hit my Elbow off the side of the table. How the hell these lads do it!!

[@fionnmalone6201]

From an Irish perspective, England are not far off it, they never are. Quality physical players, I think it might be a coaching issue.

[@GQ-df2li]

FFS. They ran out of puff. They couldn’t stand up to the onslaught. Get real.

[@tonyclifton2230]

Exactly. They scored a try defended it for half a match then ran out of steam.

[@noname-qb7ir]

This happens every game. Bench players ain't up to it.

[@oscarkay6580]

In my opinion. The fact we didn’t relentlessly target Sam Pendergast. A 21 year old debuting “wonder kid” was soft. Should have made that the hardest game of life but we let him play into the game almost like it was mutually agreed not to put a shot in on him

[@Kenny-zn6dl]

That would only lead to yellow cards and that's the last thing England needed, brawn does not win test matches against the best teams, you also need brains!!

[@oscarkay6580]

@ agreed. That’s why it’s only my opinion and why I’m not a professional rugby player by any means. I think I just miss the days of a Courtney Laws snipe on a 10 😭😂

[@hmhaines]

They left loads on Prendergast, every time he’d make a kick someone would knock into him

[@nicholaskeenan211]

It would've been naive to do this as Ireland would've worked this out - it would've meant even more gaps in the defence!

[@oscarkay6580]

@@hmhaines not wrong… like I mentioned in another comment I guess I wanted to see him properly tested. Courtney laws style but maybe I’m a tied to mid 20s big hit tackle compilations 😭😂

[@richarddiver1562]

1991 & 2003. A very good team and a truly great team and both of them rock hard with characters you’d go over the top with. 2025: a good team but one which is easily bullied and out muscled.

[@nicholaswoodward8191]

Remember the 99 call in lions tour to SA in the 70s I think. That was great. Cheers from a saffir in cape Town

[@ph5849]

Shaun edwards would sort this!! We need him asap!! But the useless RFU haven’t a clue!!

[@RuthlessVibesBB]

Impossible

[@padraiglocke8844]

Porter was the best player on the pitch , unbelievable performance, he is the best No 1 by a mile in the World

[@Frankabagnale33]

Nah, Boks have better in that position. Our rugby technicians are the best along with NZ and some French players

[@teddydavid1026]

He's up there, and his game was ok, what are you on about though!?

[@michaelmulhall5007]

@@Frankabagnale33You’re not the Brightest at all are you

[@Frankabagnale33]

@@michaelmulhall5007 porter is a great player but he is also a penalty machine. Not sure how he’s No.1 by a mile. *Im infinitely more intelligent and successful than you little man

[@aidanmasterson50]

@@Frankabagnale33false narrative. Porter isn’t penalised any more than any other prop in the lottery of the front row. How many times was he penalised in this match? Zero was it.

[@b.mcboatface7319]

Except Ireland missed more tackles than England. And you could more easily say England's first try was initiated with a soft line break. Where England trail everyone else is in offloading and passing. That was as true last weekend as it was in last year's 6 nations.

[@shaneclaridge2308]

England should stop trying to be south Africa and develop a style of English rugby

[@patrickporter1864]

Thick. You play any game with your brain.

[@DM-rp9ik]

Its weird they are suggesting England push further into the stuff thats losing them rugby matches. The English team is to nasty. To much focus on bullshit and not enough rugby and game plan execution. To much celebrating nothing and now enough next moment focus

[@shonunezekiel]

I respectfully disagree - 'celebrating nothing' isn't 'controlled violence' or 'nasty'... they (in my opinion) are talking about fully-committed in-the-moment contact, and I agree that this has dropped off - but it has been dropping off for the last 10 years or so - with notable exceptions: Lawes (on both sides of the ball), Sinkler (in the carry), a younger Genge (in the carry), Haskell himself (on both sides of the ball, but especially in defence), Tuilagi when he started playing for England (on both sides of the ball)... there is no one who consistently brings controlled brutality to the pitch in nowadays - Cunningham-South has shown it in parts (though needs to be more precise with it), and hopefully Willis brings it on Saturday.

[@DM-rp9ik]

@shonunezekiel Maybe I misunderstood sounds like you're talking about good ball carriers and defence. That's talent and execution. You either have that stuff or you don't

[@Englishman-nz3jm]

Ireland were just better. It clearly showed. We have a player pool that should be better. The score flattered England as well. Lets not BS the facts. We have not improved at all.

[@brianmcglennon7139]

The mention SA and France but not Ireland ..... Ireland has just given them a good hiding ( 2 late tries put glitter on England) and the lads cannot even mention Ireland ....says it all . Learn to walk before you can run....bonus point win for France this weekend

[@billweatherley8335]

Fabulous site guys.

[@QSDigitalVideo]

There is an element to England only knowing how to win 'beautifully'. They don't have the 'evil' edge to win ugly; to roll up their sleeves and scrap and fight their way (legally) to victory.

[@rorymkirk]

Didn’t one or some of the SA squad say more or less exactly this in the first season documentary? Talking about having a dark place to go when they need to find their way out of a tricky spot… and indeed some of them grew up with nothing, or worse. Gengey aside, not sure any of the England team have brushed close to the tough side of life at all… Freeman has epilepsy, many have probably faced various challenges. But not growing up in a rough township challenge…

[@SimonHartley-rg6ro]

The fact is that deep, deep down you don’t need it, so you don’t want it enough. Everyone’s really really well paid regardless of how they perform, and you know maybe you’ll end up marrying a dutchess or something. That’s fine, that’s cool. But it means your well isn’t as deep. It’s not not your fault. Plastic energy.

[@Camcolito]

"They're definitely not bad players" - And that's why this analysis is going nowhere. England's players are not as good as the top teams, simple as. Most of them play in a second-rate league.

[@jim9301]

They literally all play in the same league mate... Every England player... Same league.

[@JohnWilliams-fk3hb]

😂 I'm a Welsh lad through and through but your talking pure waft here.

[@Camcolito]

@ Well they all play in a second-rate league then.

[@jim9301]

@ If you're gonna make a dumb comment, at least be accurate in what you're trying to say. There's a good lad. ;-)

[@Camcolito]

@ No you're dead right, fair is fair. They all play in a shit league.

[@terminallyinquisitive1731]

If Marcus Smith plays at Full Back France will win by 25+ points

[@EolasColas]

Did haskell get the lid done

[@DM-rp9ik]

It's coming give it another 6 months

[@teddydavid1026]

Who gives a ****?

[@Bpt8825]

England are crying out for Ted Hill is is our best all round 6 yet never gets a look in ??? Also we need to start a pathway for the likes of Hartley and Wimbush into the national team as big 12’s

[@eddiedevereoxford4995]

The front-row is soft. Genge is NOT a world-class prop. Never has been able to scrum and only people who don't know the sport get wet over him going on pointless solo runs at Bristol.

[@DM-rp9ik]

@@eddiedevereoxford4995 Probably a number 8 turned prop

[@beammeup8458]

Looking at England : attitude ... they give what they think is enough, but dont give it all. Watching the game one expects fire works .... but there is no Cheslin Kolbe : strong, talented, committed.... England are just not strong enough ...

[@Sunshinez732]

Serious talent shortage. Not a single world-class player in the England team. Not one. Let's start there.

[@speakerproductproblem6287]

Jack Willis is world class. Maybe start by building something around him. Ireland face Kinghorn this weekend, and he plays with Willis down in Toulouse. Time to revoke that rule, methinks. Scotland don't worry about having players abroad.

[@mickeymalone955]

I don't understand why Borthwick devises a fast tempo game but doesn't condition the team to play it for 80 mins!!

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Exactly. That rush defense is very effective, but hard to maintain for the full 80 if the fitness of players is not there. If club rugby is not using similar plays and style to the national team, it makes the hill harder to climb....and that's where Ireland's advantage really lies. There is a certain co-odination on a club level that feeds into the national team....

[@iantaplin4343]

I think Englands problem stems down to how safe these players are in the premiership there is no fire in their guts to fight to stay in the domestic league anymore they are as safe as houses and don't need to put the effort in for a full 80 then when it come's back to internationals the players are not fully match prepaired

[@clayton8944]

Some of those selected to play for England are not good enough imo , there are many in the premiership performing at a far higher level yet are not being given the chance .

[@MeiA-h9r]

You had a coach in Eddie who emphasised toughness but he was seen to be toxic and was let go

[@mephistoXFC459V]

When did we collectively decide to name our rugby stadiums after banks? 🤷‍♀

[@MeiA-h9r]

I agree. There is definitely a softness in some these players and it’s not about size cos WR has many tough players who are short like DuPont, Kolbe. At some point, losing these games has to hurt these guys

[@PaddleWithPaddy]

Tindall predicted a 5 point win against Ireland...clown. Reality is they're not good enough. None of that English team would make the Irish 23 l, nevermind the starting team. Long may it continue.

[@ASDan-123]

Yes!! But they certainly aren't fit enough!!

[@retlwiz]

Mitchell and Steward are the weak links for tackling, imv. I like a scrum half with a bit of dog and Mitchell doesn’t have that, whereas Spencer does, at least when he plays for Bath. Overall I think England were undone by a combination of badly-timed errors and penalties, which lost them field position. The bench need to come on with cooler heads - this is England’s inexperience showing. Itoje needs to set the example and clean up his game, though he did get pinged unfairly once in the line-out.

[@samoday2992]

Not that we are soft . Its that we keep making brain dead mistakes . Over and over again. Its a terrible rugby IQ

[@RobertConway-im2ux]

These players have had a silver spoon from birth dont have the grit as theyve never faced adversity

[@JohnWilliams-fk3hb]

Borthwick way out of his depth. He is picking the wrong squad and the wrong combinations on field. Plus his tactics are awful. Let the boys have the freedom to play. England are full of quality but they hide in a shell when they put the national shirt on.

[@RichardInskipp]

England shouldn’t penalise the boys playing overseas.. everyone is allowed to earn a living surely? Willis Farrel Tuilagi Arundell to name a few would harden up any squad. Also why are Farrell and Edwards outside of the rufc surely they should be the spearhead of the organisation. Finally why are we using a couple of overseas players, we have a couple but for heavens sake France have 6/7 Ireland have 9/10 Scotland have 15/16 Wales 11/12 and Italy have 9/10 players born outside of these countries. Is it 6 nations or anyone who can’t get in their own national squad can pop over and get a game.

[@tonyalways7174]

England are nearly a good team. Always nearly good but continuously average.

[@yorkymc]

So good play is out for England and the other teams are going to lie down get a grip.

[@dragonfire4957]

Just like the EPL players..all focused as individual players..not gelling as a TEAM..

[@davidgormley7990]

Tindall is delusional

[@goshirakawa2377]

So who would be the English 'enforcers' these days? 2003 squad had half a dozen of nasties who could play rugby and excelled at applied violence when needed

[@DM-rp9ik]

@goshirakawa2377 Think the games too technical now and no player who gets to international level at the top teams is going to hide because someone's a bit edgy or puts in dog shots. They will roll with whatever comes and execute the plan at whatever cost.

[@starzgarden5553]

They’re just not good enough, individually or as a team. End of story.

[@robmcrob2091]

The England players are not too nice they are unprofessional (eg the momentum shifting penalties/ cards they gave away that they didn't have to) but they are the product of a grassroots still focused on end of season tour and beer. In contrast Ireland and especially Leinster have a set up from grass roots like a mini NFL. You see the end product....

[@banditlkid]

Twickenham is Twickenham. Ignore all this sponsorship rubbish trying to buy the game.

[@andrewturner5449]

England not good enough or fit enough,to compete with top three sides.Premiership overated,needs to be changed.

[@antoinedescours2459]

France by 85

[@BigRedViking89]

No!

[@ianaspinall7948]

Too many posh boys

[@anfear9764]

Not sure about that. Having watched the six nations doc on Netflix (season two) watch Marcus smith trying to talk ghetto gangster buying his Gwagon 😂 Utterly embarrassing stuff

[@Noker127]

Your coach is useless, Tactically inept

[@iainrae6159]

England have a custom built 5 star hotel/ training quarters and the richest rugby Union. Perhaps other nations have more edge and physicality after carrying sheep, shovelling peat, and lugging cases of wine in their youth.

[@tommulcair6302]

First 40 England physically dominated. Ran out of gas. What are these boys on about?

[@kenrehill8775]

France by 25

[@Mannytakui]

Our Kiwi boys were the difference in the end. 💪🏿

[@EolasColas]

Yeah beirne, Doris, sheahan and crowley had nothing to do with it!

[@Mannytakui]

@ I thought they played well.

[@ferdiadiarmuidmulloy7242]

Bundee Aki was a nobody in NZ, that's what U forget, he worked in a bank. And then came over to Ireland's weakest pro club, God bless them. He might have been born in NZ, but he was made in Ireland(also he's Samoan genetics, and yes he was born in NZ but how many players do U guys poach from those islands)... Similarly Gibson-Park was substitute scrum-half at Leinster for a while before before breaking thru and elevating... James Lowe was a defensive liability when he first arrived at Leinster... All the Aussies and Kiwis talking about players being poached when they have been the predators for years scouting out genetic freaks in the Pacific isles and giving them scholarships to rugby schools They would be missed but even if U take those 3 out of the team, Ireland have enough depth that they are still better than England

[@Mannytakui]

@@ferdiadiarmuidmulloy7242 Bundee played for the Chiefs mate. All 3 of those blokes have no connection to Ireland, just qualified through the ridiculous World Rugby residency rule. They’ll be back home when they finish. Also, both James and JGP have played internationally for a team apart from Ireland. You’re welcome to pretend they’re Irish of course. WR said you can. 👍

[@johnnyutah999]

The All blacks were the worst offenders whilst poaching the Pacific islanders.

[@henryburton6529]

england outplayed Ireland for most of the game and only lost the game during the period when 100% of ref calls went against england despite it obviously not being correct. Dont criticise england when they were given 0 chance by the ref

[@jay13thstep]

Thats an absolutely horrendous take...

[@henryburton6529]

@@jay13thstep I didnt give 8 consecutive wrong decisions during the period when Ireland scored all their points Ben O'Keefe and his AR's did.

[@henryburton6529]

In there was a red card head shot not reviewed, two knock on's which were non existent, penalties for pushes that didn't exist and a disallowed try for absolutely nothing, amongst many other things. All during the period where Ireland scored all of their points. England were trying to beat one of the best sides in the world away from home. That's not possible given that ref and those decisions.

[@brianmcglennon7139]

joker

[@RODEKKONTOAST]

England need another Dylan Hartley for a captain. Jamie George is a complete wet flannel. And Itoje is the most overrated lock in the world.

[@teddydavid1026]

Hartley was a stroppy overrated liability

[@DM-rp9ik]

@@RODEKKONTOAST They need genuine class like George but younger

[@thehum1000]

This team reminds me of the will carling era...soft as sh1t

[@wayneholness6090]

They won grand slams

[@billparry7058]

What 3 Five Nations Championships in 5 years with players like Wade Dooley, Dean Richards, Mike Teague and Jason Leonard? Yeah soft as shit those boys.😳

[@SteveMullins-ov3fn]

So, try saying that to Brian Moore’s face.

[@booey28]

It's to do with the coaching

[@Bpt8825]

England are crying out for Ted Hill is is our best all round 6 yet never gets a look in ??? Also we need to start a pathway for the likes of Hartley and Wimbush into the national team as big 12’s