"Are you drunk?" - Ellis Genge tweet at 1am after historic defeat to Fiji has fans confused

Rugby News
Sunday, 27 August 2023 at 09:01
screenshot 2023 08 27 at 090006
In the wee hours of this morning, Ellis Genge posted a thought-provoking tweet subsequent to England's inaugural loss to Fiji.
During the second half at Twickenham, the Pacific Islanders managed to score three tries, exploiting England's vulnerable defense that struggled to withstand their strength.
England managed a late resurgence with Joe Marchant's try, and George Ford's successful conversion brought them within striking distance.
However, Selestino Ravutaumada's play paved the way for Simione Kuruvoli to secure the victory.
In the early morning hours, Genge, England's vice-captain, took to Twitter and wrote, "Count us out now, wishing you all the best."

Social reaction"

One fan wrote: "We just lost to a side that England have never lost to ever and expect fans to just get behind the team as if everything’s okay and not say anything?"
A second commented: "What are we supposed to do, it’s getting worse every week. The fans don’t want to dig out the team, but what are they supposed to do ? You can’t cover up the fact it’s not getting better. There is so little defensive coordination to build on. Teams can’t win if they can’t defend"
Another said: "What are we supposed to do, it’s getting worse every week. The fans don’t want to dig out the team, but what are they supposed to do ? You can’t cover up the fact it’s not getting better. There is so little defensive coordination to build on. Teams can’t win if they can’t defend"
A fourth tweeted: "I hope you guys have been pulling our legs these last few weeks. I really do."
"Its not that people want to write you all off. We are not the press that are looking for headlines. We want you to do well, but lets be honest the last 18-24 months of rugby has been hard to support. We still supported, and still do support - but its hard at the moment." wrote a fifth.
A sixth said in support: "U will prove everyone wrong genge you and the lads are all class acts as a tigers fan I saw the same building blocks and look what happened champions I’m right behind you all!"

Five players Steve Borthwick should drop for World Cup opener, and who should replace them

Here's the lowdown on five fellas who should be shown the door and swapped out before that showdown with Argentina.

#1. Dan Cole

Planet Rugby 2/10: "Can’t get around the field effectively enough. Set-piece is pretty strong but often exposed in the loose."
Rugby Pass 3/10: "A first start since September 2019, the question must be asked is can England afford to have him involved when he is allergic to the ball? Just a single carry in 69 minutes."
Evening Standard 3/10: "One of England’s finest servants, but at 36 England should have moved on by now."
Replacement: Kyle Sinckler

#2. Max Malins

Telegraph 4/10: "As ever, notwithstanding his footballing ability, doubts swirl around whether he offers enough of an individual threat out wide. On this evidence, he doesn’t."
Planet Rugby 2/10: " Doesn’t do anything well enough to be a top Test player, quite frankly."
Rugby Pass 4.5/10: "A statistically quiet outing and yet he got a flapping hand to a couple of aerial first half kicks, enough to win back ball for England with a tactic that had failed them this month. Also denied a diving try in corner late in the first half, but his second half showing petered out."
Evening Standard 2/10: "Flattened by Semi Radradra and was quiet throughout."
Replacement: Henry Arundell

#3. Freddie Steward

Telegraph 3/10: "Ubiquitous in the warm-ups, the only player to start all four, but saved his worst until last. Could not catch a cold - admittedly in the midst of a downpour."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Turnovers in his game have become a concern and there were more here. Showed little in attack and also couldn’t shut the door as last man for the opening two Fijians tries, the second concession on 53 minutes the prompt for him to be subbed for Marcus Smith."
Planet Rugby 2/10: "Great under the high ball but one-on-one defence isn’t good enough. Lacks pace and it’s exposed when England’s first-up rearguard is missing tackles."
Replacement: Marcus Smith

#4. Ollie Chessum

Evening Standard 3/10: "Still finding his feet after injury but England desperately need him at full tilt."
Telegraph 4/10: "The lock’s first start since March, and it showed. A leading light in the Six Nations, the lock understandably needs time to get back to his best - which England do not have."
Replacement: David Ribbans

#5. Ben Earl

Telegraph 4/10: "One of few individual positives in August, but there was not much to sing about on Saturday. Caught dawdling for Fiji’s second try and could not impose himself with the ball."
Planet Rugby 3/10: "Moved to eight in the absence of Billy Vunipola but completely ineffective."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "A first start in this No8 position at Test level, no one can quibble with his huge number of tackles. However, England need a ball carrier in this role and he didn’t do this, his struggle encapsulated by the flapped attempted catch of a Ford crossfield kick with his team chasing on the scoreboard."
Evening Standard 2/10: "No carrying threat, and could not dominate at the ruck."
Replacement: Zach Mercer
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