Northampton head coach Sam Vesty has expressed concerns over England's style of play under Steve Borthwick, suggesting the team has lost its identity. England's recent performance in the Six Nations has been underwhelming, with the team losing four games for the first time since 1976. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is conducting a review of England's under-performance, focusing not only on results but also the team's playing style. Critics have labelled England's approach as overly kick-heavy and conservative, a perception that Borthwick has acknowledged may be due to the weight of expectation.
However, Vesty disagrees with this assessment, pointing out that other nations, such as Scotland and Italy, have a clear identity in their playing style. These teams are known for their ability to move the ball, which Vesty believes is a key aspect of their identity. In contrast, England's playing style under Borthwick has been less defined, leading Vesty to question whether the team has lost its sense of self.
Borthwick has spoken about his desire to develop England's game from a basic approach, which took the team to the World Cup semi-finals in 2023. Despite this, Vesty remains unconvinced that the weight of expectation is the primary issue. Instead, he suggests that England's identity crisis is a more fundamental problem that needs to be addressed.
that Sam Vesty's comments highlight a worrying trend in English rugby. The loss of identity under Steve Borthwick's leadership is a concern that needs to be addressed urgently. With key players like Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, who are coached by Vesty at Northampton, England's ability to compete with the best teams in the world is at stake.
