by It’s not just the English who want to put the past behind them. In Australia they have conducted a lengthy review of the Wallabies’ failed World Cup campaign and have compiled a list of recommendations almost as long as the Great Barrier Reef. Along with a massive “unauthorized” overspend of A$2.6m [£1.34m]it emerged that the players felt there was a lack of transparency in team selection and insufficient clarity in training.
Any clock bells? Back in 2017-18 when Eddie Jones was in charge of England, the Rugby Football Union made more than 60 redundancies after a budget blowout of around £900,000. And in that 2018 Six Nations, England finished fifth, their worst finish in 31 years. Those who do not heed the lessons of history are, as they say, intent on repeating them.
Related: ‘I couldn’t tell you what we are:’ England’s search for identity continues | Gerard Meagher
The review of England’s latest campaign has yet to be written but, when the RFU’s top brass convene, there is the risk of serious deja vu. Ireland will lose in no time on Saturday and England, now coached by Steve Borthwick, will be on course for a fourth consecutive Six Nations season. As Borthwick and others have found, this cycle of underachievement – in stark contrast to Ireland’s consistently upward graph – is difficult to correct overnight.
At the very least a catalyst is needed: a great product or a talented newcomer. Borthwick’s selection changes, with George Martin and Alex Mitchell returning, partly reflect the reality of his side’s underperformance against Scotland at Murrayfield. They would love to bounce back with a statement win but, for that to happen against this overmatched Irish side, they need something – or someone – who can change the vibe of the stadium in a split second.
Step forward, then, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the country’s most athletic medical student, who is set to start his first Test on the right wing, with Tommy Freeman switching over to the left. Just over 10 months ago, on April 23rd to be precise, Feyi-Waboso was playing in the back three for Taunton Titans in their National One final against Leeds at the magnificent Veritas Park. Now he’s starting at Twickenham, an inspirational role model for ambitious young backs everywhere.
They felt much the same about him at Taunton as they do in England now: a young man with as much good looks as he has natural talents. The big difference between then and now is his body: when he reappeared in the Exeter singles at the start of this season, after a tough pre-season in the gym, he looked every inch the top pro athlete.
Super Manny? There are a few cautionary tales that could be inserted at this point. Ollie Hassell-Collins was twice bounded only to be dismissed briefly. Henry Arundell was England’s golden boy as recently as the last World Cup; now he is playing in France and currently ineligible for his country. Joe Cokanasiga? Max Malins? Ollie Thorley? Adam Radwan? Rory McConnochie? England, in the last five or six years, have been quicker to bleed young thrusters than they have brought them back.
However, Borthwick clearly likes what he sees in the 21-year-old and the Exeter winger’s decision to choose England over his native Wales is already paying off. His try at Murrayfield, coming on so late that the Scottish defense was left in the shadows, showed the instinctive timing that sets players apart and he even missed training for a medical last week . “I feel like he’s a guy who takes things in his stride,” Borthwick said. “He is a calm and composed character. Every challenge that has been thrown at him, he has risen to that level and I expect him to do the same again on Saturday. After I told him he was starting, he thanked me many times and then asked: ‘What do you want from me?’ My message was: ‘I want the ball in your hands as many times as possible.’”
Having also discovered that Feyi-Waboso is a gifted pianist – “We’ve still got something he’s not good at but we’ll keep trying,” Borthwick promised – the next trick is to have England’s backline playing more of the correct notes in the correct order. Counter Ireland’s strong kicking game, compete hard at the breakdown, disrupt their set pieces and stop the visitors’ attack at the source and could England pull off something special? Although Ireland are looking to become the first nation to win back-to-back grand slams this century, the Six Nations crown is rarely without at least one thorny moment.
