5 Talking Points: Italy 24-27 England - Steve Borthwick & Jamie George Press Conference

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content

powered by ISUZU.

England head coach Steve Borthwick and his newly appointed captain Jamie George spoke after the match, and shared their thoughts on the victory in the Stadio Olimpico.

JAMIE GEORGE - "I was very impressed with the way that Italy approached the game today. Obviously, (with) the new coaching staff, we weren't too sure exactly how they were going to play. I thought they executed their game-plan very well. Think they're on a run, they're going to give some sides some problems throughout the tournament, and I won't be suprised if they got a couple of victories along the way."

STEVE BORTHWICK - "We certainly created situations in training over the last nine days, that have asked the players questions on how the opponent are playing. Because once we came into this game, we weren't exactly sure. We studied (Benetton) Treviso, such a huge contingent of players in the squad. We've studied Italy, we've studied the coaching team's previous experience at other clubs. It was a whole mix of things.

"You've got to remember, this Italian side, in this opening fixture last year they almost beat France. It was only a few points, but they almost beat France. I think many people after that game thought they probably should have beaten France. This was an Italian side last year who played in Scotland, in last year's Six Nations, and very nearly beat Scotland.

"This team has beaten Australia, this is a good side that's got a lot of talent in it. You see Treviso, they are sitting second in the URC. Was it nine Treviso players, 10 Treviso players in the starting team? So, immediately they have cohesion coming in, that's a great thing to have.
We're a little bit different. Really pleased the players were ultimately 27-17 (up) at 80 minutes and sat on the opposition goal line. We're disappointed to have conceded that last try."

"A massive honour for me. Really grateful for the opportunity, I'm also really grateful for the environment that the other guys created, to make it very easy to lead"

"What pleases me the most was was how we found a solution, got after it together, it was really pleasing. And I'm really, really grateful and pleased with the result."

"When Steve and I met a couple of weeks ago, we were talking around that (fear of making mistakes) I don't necessarily think it's risk. I think having the courage to execute the game plan as best as you can, I think that's probably more what we're talking about. We're very lucky to have (it) as a coaching staff, I'm very clear about how I want to go after things."

STEVE BORTHWICK: "It was brilliant to see five players make their debut for England in one match in the Six Nations, which doesn't happen very often."

"Clearly you don't ever want to single individuals out because it's brilliant for all five, a special day for five of them. And for me as a coach I feel like that it is a special day to be involved with them at the start of their England careers. Just chatting to them in the changing rooms, I think they're going to be wearing an England shirt for a long time.

"They're going to be playing together for a good number of years, which is exciting. Because we've got a good number of players, currently out of the squad to come back in as well, when they return to fitness."

"Ethan Roots in particular, to make his debut and look very much at home, played 80 minutes, and just looked at home, (he) was outstanding. And for Fraser (Dingwall) in the centres there, when you've got a different combination, and that's really the challenge then in the centres. He's never played with that 10 or that 13, I thought he did really well to help read and glue that combination together."

STEVE BORTHWICK: "I'm getting medical reports tomorrow (Sunday 4th Feb), all the checks, but obviously the focus has been on this game. I don't think George Martin is too far away maybe he's ready for next week, we'll be waiting to see. Ellis i'm hopeful, he'll be fit next week."

JAMIE GEORGE: "I don't want anyone to be involved in this squad if they don't genuinely believe that we can challenge the best, and win this tournament. From looking at them (Ireland) yesterday, they were very impressive and not many teams go to France and perform like that.

"I think there's a blueprint for us or any team, to look at how they played and how they approach that game. I think France would be disappointed, with how they played, but from us personally we're going to be, Steve talks about it a lot, on how fast we need to learn."

"You know, we need to make sure that we learn on essence, be very clear about what we need to get after this week, and we've got a great opportunity to be back at Twickenham in front of our home fans, and really give them something to smile about."