Three positives England fans can take from Italy win

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In recent years, this conversation would have started with “it’s only Italy…” but Italy showed they can be dangerous on the counter-attack and they have what it takes to front up physically. Italy look destined to be in for a thrashing following a half time score of 19-0 to the hosts, but Italy soon turned it round to be win the second half 12-14, despite a yellow card for Ferrari.

In this article, we think about what England did well.

Owen Farrell reverted back to his homely 10 shirt and he did impress. He was defensively solid, making 12 tackles (https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/five-star-england-beat-italy-for-first-win-of-borthwick-era#match-stats) and controlled the game well. England’s tactics were to turn the Italians, with delicate kicks in behind and, despite whether or not you think this tactic was good, Farrell did this well. 

His 10-12 partnership with Ollie Lawrence blossomed well and left the fans licking their lips ahead of England’s test with Wales on 25^th January. Dan Biggar is a traditionally weak tackler, often going too high (quite like Farrell), so Lawrence will be living rent free inside his head for the next fortnight. 

Marcus Smith had an 8minutes cameo and seemed to try too hard upon arrival to the pitch. Smith missed 2 tackles (https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/five-star-england-beat-italy-for-first-win-of-borthwick-era#match-stats) and his grubber kicks in behind were not executed well. It was a shame Smith replaced Slade, as it would have been exciting to watch Smith-Lawrence- Slade, but this combination will have its time, I’m sure. 

Reflecting on the successful England teams of yester-year, the backrow has been a key defining factor in their success. ’03 was Richard Hill, Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio. The 2019 World Cup Finalists we had Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola. 

Make no mistake, I am not comparing England’s backrow to the backrow of England’s world cup winning team, but this backrow has the right balance and looked brilliant on Sunday. Ludlam provides a safe lineout option and destructive tackling and carrying, Willis was given effectively free roam to poach and did this well. Dombrandt worked as a lineout option, and did make 70m off 12 carries (https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/five-star-england-beat-italy-for-first-win-of-borthwick-era#match-stats), but was overshone by his backrow colleagues and was replaced shortly after the hour mark.

This backrow looked good, Willis especially looked great. I previously thought it was madness to include Ludlum, and equally as mad to not start Earl, but this week has cemented the flanker pairing for me. Ludlam made 22 tackles and Willis made 21 (https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/five-star-england-beat-italy-for-first-win-of-borthwick-era#match-stats), this work rate is hard to compete with. 

The forwards in general looked in control of the game from the start. From the very first lineout, where the ball was played to Lawrence who smashed up the middle, the forwards new exactly what was going to happen and where to be.

It is this direction which will come with experience, but England showed glimpses that this is developing in the right way. The scrum, despite dubious refereeing decisions against both sides, worked well and the maul looked the best it had in a long time. The essence of Steve Borthwick is starting to shine through the team. 

The average age of this England 23 is 26.2 years. The young players coming through will only get better with time on the pitch. In particular, 22 year old Ollie Chessum, only on his second start, looked as though he has been around the England squad for years, he looks like he is meant to be there. In my view, he has definitely swatted any hands away from the #5 shirt, it is his to lose. 

Ollie Lawrence impressed from the start and, as we have seen for Bath, has more to his game, as opposed to a battering ram, but he was tasked with getting over the gain line and he did that very well.

But young guns Mitchell and Arundell teamed up well, to score in the corner. The only hindrance this youth has is the decision-making aspect. Looking at Ireland, everyone knows their roles, both from an individual and a team perspective. This is the clarity England will want. If they can get it in time for the World Cup, they may be in a better position than initially thought last Autumn. 

This England team are not the complete project, Borthwick can’t kick back at training and say “do what you want lads, my job is done”, but they are heading in the right direction. They will be travelling to Wales with a confidence in their ability, something that seemed to go missing in the latter stages of the Eddie Jones era.