The English rugby team's recent performance has been a cause for concern, to say the least. Despite a promising start to the year, with a 12-game winning streak, the team's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse, particularly in the Six Nations Championship. The RFU review, which aimed to provide clarity and address the team's shortcomings, has revealed a multitude of issues that need addressing.
One of the main areas of concern is the team's kicking strategy. England's approach to contestable kicks has been deemed ineffective, with a poor return rate and a lack of coordination. This has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a high-quality contestable kicking game and a quick, combative back-row with multiple number sevens. The team's kicking strategy has been described as impenetrable, with a dense pea-souper on the Victorian Thames, making it difficult for players to work out what the strategy is.
The team's discipline has also been a major issue, with a tournament-high eight yellow cards and one red card, as well as 55 total penalties. This has been a significant disadvantage, particularly against top teams like South Africa, who only conceded seven penalties and one yellow card. The team's poor discipline has been a recurring theme, with a penalty count of five-to-one in the critical last half-hour of the game, and two extra yellows in favor of the home side.
The team's defense has also been a cause for concern, with a total of 158 points shipped in the past four games, an average of 40 points per game. This is a significant improvement on the Six Nations, where the team conceded more penalties and cards than any other side. The team's defense has been described as unsure, with a peculiar fog hanging in the world of English rugby, and the way out is mired in uncertainty.
The RFU review has concluded that the team's aspiration to play a certain way was clear, but this is far from the case for supporters and students of the game. The team's performance has been a stark contrast to their aspirations, with a lack of coordination and discipline, and a poor kicking strategy. The team's future looks uncertain, with a need for significant improvements to be made in order to compete at the highest level.
