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#Post#: 150716--------------------------------------------------
Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: March 11, 2026, 5:15 am
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HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/crk85d28vgpo
--- Quote ---
> Steve Borthwick believes the expectation, scrutiny and
pressure of playing for England has got to his players during
their three-match losing run.
>
> ...
>
> "I think that the England shirt can, at times, weigh heavy,"
Borthwick told Rugby Union Weekly.
>
> "We've worked exceptionally hard to try and alleviate that.
>
> "I want the players to play fast rugby, I want the ball to
move, I want them to be brave and I talk about playing brave and
playing big and with the shirt on.
>
> "I think certainly I've seen evidence in the last two or three
weeks, that there's been times where the shirt looks like it's
weighed a bit heavy.
>
> "We've not quite given the passes that the team gave
throughout 2025 and even in that first game of the Six Nations."
--- End Quote ---
Great stuff Steve, add this to the pages-long list of ways in
which you encourage and empower your players to play fearless
rugby and back your creative sparks. Absolutely fabulous player
management again.
Say, just out of curiosity, if this is the big issue (and not,
say, strategy, selection, incoherent coaching, a merry-go-round
of staff, etc), who is actually responsible for solving it?
And does "invite the effing 2003 RWC team to come and talk to
the squad" represent a good example of trying to reduce the
pressure? What about when you drop half the team? Or repeatedly
bypass some of the best players in the country for your old
favourites regardless of suitability?
#Post#: 150718--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: March 11, 2026, 5:18 am
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So,
Chucks the players under the bus (clearly following his tactics)
and then makes minimal changes. Right...
#Post#: 150719--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: Archquin
Date: March 11, 2026, 5:18 am
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that will really help the players motivation
#Post#: 150724--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: March 11, 2026, 5:37 am
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Very weird that some of the most storied, celebrated, and
successful England players of modern times, with varying levels
of experience at the very top of the game for club, country, and
the Lions, are suddenly crumbling in the face of playing a few
regular 6N matches, isn't it Steve? Steve? Steve? Oh, he's gone.
#Post#: 150726--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: March 11, 2026, 5:41 am
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I think the squad of 23 announced has just over 800 caps, and
I'm pretty sure that the one for the Ireland game had close to
1000, so yeah nah.
#Post#: 150729--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: March 11, 2026, 6:20 am
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I still find it amusing Borethicko is actively blaming the
players for implementing tactics clearly dictated by the
coaching team, which is fairly disgraceful. Every scrumhalf has
kicked away possession when inside the 10 meter line, and we've
used a few so its not just one going against Borethickos
apparent desire to play fast rugby
#Post#: 150733--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: March 11, 2026, 7:05 am
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The weight of the shirt, hilarious. He's been rolling that
nonsense out since he came on board. It's no heavier than any
other shirt (especially as it's Castore). I listened too it on
RUW and Chris Jones built up by saying he had questions to
answer and then failed to push him on them and just let him come
out with this utter guff.
Every scrumhalf has kicked away possession when inside the 10
meter line - exactly, nothing to do with the players thinking
for themselves, clearly a plan.
Utter balderdash
#Post#: 150735--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: March 11, 2026, 7:22 am
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"I want the players to play fast rugby, I want the ball to move,
I want them to be brave and I talk about playing brave and
playing big and with the shirt on."
No comment.
#Post#: 150739--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: Portquin
Date: March 11, 2026, 7:51 am
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I'm amazed you got through the interview it was so dull....I had
to turn it off after a minute as I was driving and worried I'd
fall asleep. Is it any wonder these boys look so heavy legged -
after a team talk with such an awful delivery no wonder the boys
look half asleep in D...surely the RFU should have worked out by
now he might make an excellent forwards coach but a Head Coach
he is not
#Post#: 150759--------------------------------------------------
Re: Borthwick blames his players for not handling the pressure
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: March 11, 2026, 1:04 pm
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The one thing that bothers me a little bit is the amnesia around
the box kicking tactics. Is it just me who remembers England
kicking the leather off the ball from 9 infuriatingly
relentlessly ever since Ben Youngs came on the scene in the run
up to the 2011 RWC? Even with Danny Care there as a rival to the
9 shirt, the Youngs box kick became the go-to strategy and DC's
England career no doubt suffered as a result of having to adhere
to this gameplan... and it has stuck for England ever since.
There was something slightly bizarre about listening to BY
talking on his pod with Dan Cole and bemoaning the last few
years of relentless box kicking... like it hasn't been happening
for 15 and it wasn't all thanks to him.
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