"A howler" - Four England players Steve Borthwick must drop, and who should replace them for quarter-final
Rugby NewsSaturday, 07 October 2023 at 19:39
In a hard-fought contest, a sluggish England managed to secure their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a perfect record in Pool D.
The turning point in their 18-17 victory came in the 73rd minute when Danny Care made a crucial dart from the scrum's base to score.
Despite this win, England's prospects as potential title contenders appear to have been significantly shaken, as they were pushed to the limit by a team with a limited tournament history, their lone previous win being against Chile.
The underdog Samoa led 17-8 at halftime and could have extended their lead further, with a third try being disallowed due to the faintest of knock-ons.
Samoa even had a chance to snatch an unexpected victory as they advanced upfield, only to lose possession just five meters short in the penultimate play of the game.
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#1. Jonny May
Telegraph 4/10: "May brought energy as ever but there was also the customary chaos. Out of position for Samoa’s second try, leaving Steward to scramble in vain."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "It was his break that scattered the Samoan defence on 18 minutes in the lead-up to the infringement that gave Farrell his points record, but that was about it for him on the ball and he will instead be remembered for ineffectively clinging onto a leg of the tr-scoring Ah-Wong minutes later. England need a hurry up in this position, with May not looking the part."
RUCK 4/10: "We’re uncertain why he continues to be selected over the lightning-fast Henry Arundell, Seemed to spend the whole afternoon running sideways"
Replacement: Henry Arundell
#2. Alex Mitchell
Telegraph 5/10: "Executed a sublime first-half turnover which sent George clear; only the slightest of Tumua Manu knock-ons saved his bacon after a skewed box-kick looked to have handed Samoa their third try."
RUCK 4/10: "Delayed around the breakdown, constantly putting England under pressure."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "The scrum-half was very lucky a Samoan try on the back of his poor box kick was ruled out. A great player on the front foot but one that could improve when managing the game when under pressure."
Replacement: Danny Care
#3. Dan Cole
Telegraph 5/10: "Scrummaged his socks off, as is his wont, but will not enjoy some of the defensive review, where he was palpably off the pace."
Rugby Pass 5/10: "It started off as his sort of game, England on the front foot and the prop clearing breakdowns and enjoying the scrum. However, once Samoa got possession and shifted it about, he was left flagging and was pulled eight minutes into the second half despite a chunky tackle count."
Replacement: Kyle Sinckler
Kyle Sinckler of England looks to offload during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#4. Owen Farrell
Telegraph 4/10: "England’s captain led admirably in defence, became his country’s all-time leading point-scorer - ending Jonny Wilkinson’s 22-year reign - but he was rusty. The shot-clock gaffe was a howler."
Replacement: Ollie Lawrence
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