DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
  HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       *****************************************************
   DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
       *****************************************************
       #Post#: 140775--------------------------------------------------
       OT: Borthwick's post tour review
   DIR By: 22 Dropout
       Date: July 26, 2025, 12:08 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       As the England Team arrive back from the summer tour Steve
       Borthwick sits down with Bill Sweeney for his mid-term review.
       BS - so Steve tell me about the tour. You must be pleased with
       beating Argentina
       SB - yes. We certainly came away with a lot of key learnings.
       BS - and the US leg?
       SB - there were a lot of takeaways.
       BS - anyone stand out to you
       SB - this lad Ford looks like the real deal. Reminds me of a fly
       -half I had at Leicester. I'm thinking of trying him at
       scrum-half and if he goes well he could have a future.
       BS - how do you think we're set for the Autumn internationals?
       SB - this is a team in development. It's still building and
       we've got a good crop of lads coming through.
       BS - what is your plan for taking on South Africa and France in
       the future. Can we strengthen our bench?
       SB - I can speak to the groundsman and get our benches replaced
       BS - I was thinking more that Rassie is coming up with new ideas
       constantly. Have you got anything up your sleeve.
       SB - I 've always said you have to play to your strengths, and
       we have a lot of very good back-rowers, so my plan is to play
       them all at the same time. We put them all over the pitch, and
       the great thing is it gives us the option to have a very long
       lineout.
       BS - ok, but what about the replacement match day players. SA
       always bring on a load of huge players, win a penalty and Handre
       kicks them to victory. France does the same with Ramos. How do
       we match them?
       SB - well, I've been giving that a lot of thought. We can't
       match them for numbers or size, so what we need is test match
       animals.
       BS - so how many do we need?
       SB - I reckon if we had five we could be unbeatable.
       Bs - can we list some out?
       Sb - well, there's Johnny Sexton....
       Bs - let's keep the list to eligible English players
       SB - ok. There's Maro, and Tom Curry of course. Ben Earl could
       be one and then there's Elliott Daly.
       BS - so that's four. We need get to five...
       SB - what about Henry Slade?
       BS - ha ha.
       Ha ha.
       Ha ha ha.
       Oh thanks Steve. I needed that. You've always known how to make
       me laugh. What about Owen Farrell?
       SB - he's retired from international rugby hasn't he, to spend
       more time with his family? I heard he's on holiday with his dad
       as we speak.
       BS - I think he could be persuaded. He drives standards doesn't
       he?
       SB - I don't know. Range Rover I think, but I'm normally doing
       my spreadsheets when the lads arrive and I can't see the car
       park from my office.
       BS - well if we can get him back that's our list complete. And
       he does that thing with his fingers when he gets a kick. My kids
       love it.
       SB - I'm not sure. I think he wants my job.
       Bs - well that's settled then. See you after the world cup.
       *****************************************************
       Page 1 of 1