JEREMY GUSCOTT
OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK
Everyone has questions about England, and no-one knows what to expect from Steve Borthwick's team until after his first game in charge against Scotland. What England supporters will hope for, and what is delivered, could be a million miles apart – although in an opening Six Nations match at Twickenham you have to think that it will be close.
There is a lot of mist and fog around England, with those of us on the outside trying to peer in, and those on the inside trying to peer out and to become the ‘new' England head coach Borthwick has talked about.
I believe it is about the quality of England's performance first, and if that is good enough they will get off to a winning start against the Scots. One aspect that is clear is that despite England losing players of the calibre of Courtney Lawes, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, and Jamie George to injury, that is no excuse for failing to reach the highest standards.
Injuries are a big part of rugby – and that is why you have first, second, third, and fourth choice players lined up in every position at international level. You must have belief in those players, and you get on with it. If you get a puncture and you need your wheel replacing you change it, and you get back on the road.
Borthwick has given good reasons why Owen Farrell is captain, but what we don't know yet is whether he will be at 10 or 12. I believe Borthwick will give his team information in advance, and that by now Farrell knows whether he's at fly-half or inside-centre – and I hope it is fly-half, with a recognised 12 like Manu Tuilagi outside him.
My expectation is for England to go out in front of a full house at Twickenham and win this game. However, everything that happened in the last 20 games under Eddie Jones, as well as Scotland's success recently in this fixture, convinces me that the Scots have no mental block about winning at the home of English rugby.
If I'm an England back looking at the pack then I want to see some power, bulk, and ball-carrying – so that means a back row of Ollie Chessum at 6, then Ben Earl, Jack Willis or Ben Curry at 7, and Alex Dombrandt at 8. I guess you could look at Nick Isiekwe at either 6 or lock, but I wonder if he is powerful enough to partner Maro Itoje in the second row – so I would give Jonny Hill another chance.
In the front row having Ellis Genge at loose-head gives you a good ball carrier, Jack Walker is the next man in line at hooker, and I would start Dan Cole at tighthead and put Kyle Sinckler on the bench, with a chance to prove why he should start.
Every new player will want to seize their chance, and no-one more so than the new wings Caden Murley and Ollie Hassell-Collins. Everyone has to start somewhere, and they have earned their international opportunity, so it will be exciting to see these guys come through and go for it.
Borthwick is coaching the pack, and has said he wants no mixed messages, or fear of losing – and we are hearing the right sounds from the players. But will we see confidence and conviction immediately? I'm not sure, because they are playing a very settled Scotland side who know that they have flattered to deceive, and whose supporters will now want them to get to the last weekend as Six Nations title contenders.
The Scots have been missing that final piece of the puzzle, but captain Jamie Ritchie is very competitive and always in the game, which is the sign of a good leader. Finn Russell is still a maverick, but now the fly-half plays with greater pragmatism, and after playing with a quality team at Racing he knows he no longer needs to push it more than required.
I don't think England are comfortable playing at pace, and Russell tries to play quickly – but sometimes too quickly. Instead, what he needs to find is the right pace with which to stretch England, and then ask his team-mates to be more clinical near the try line than they have ever been before.
Scotland don't need the distraction of speculation that head coach Gregor Townsend will be leaving after the World Cup, and there is also a question mark over whether Stuart Hogg is the player he was. Set against that their front row is decent, and they will be confident – but the whole Scotland team must have the Ritchie will to win rather than the shrug and little smile when things go wrong.
The Scots have to come to Twickenham with the single-minded attitude that they are going to make a real statement. As for England, throughout the autumn there was a sense of disappointment and frustration.
If England win by playing poorly, it could just delay defeat coming down the road at them – but they should not look ahead. It is this game that counts. It is now that you want to be energised and feel that England are on their way back.
This England team have to look at a minimum of 7/10 performances, reaching up to 8/10. If each player does that then they will be playing winning rugby. They should be disciplined, but also reaching that last-gasp try or tackle.
Farrell's is the same captain's voice that many of those in the team have heard for a long time. That is why this time he needs to show a different approach and energy – and have real authority like Martin Johnson, Richie McCaw, or Brian O'Driscoll. The only recognition he requires is that of being a great player, not whether he's getting on the wrong side of the referee.
As for my England backs to take on the Scots, I really like Max Malins. He has a brilliant skill set and great rugby ability. He is deceptively quick, can catch, pass and kick, and is good under the high ball, so he can have an influence on the wing or full-back. I also like the size and speed of Hassell-Collins.
They are my two wings in a backline selected as follows: Jack van Pootvliet, Owen Farrell; Max Malins, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade Ollie Hassell-Collins; Freddie Steward.
