February 1st 2025.
Maro Itoje has been given the responsibility to lead England to victory in Dublin this coming Saturday as they kick off their Six Nations campaign. The English team is looking fresh and revitalized, with a new captain and a fully established defence coach, along with some new additions to the backroom staff. It's clear that they are approaching this tournament with a new mindset and a different approach, which is not uncommon during the reign of Steve Borthwick as the head coach.
After a rather unsettling autumn series, England now faces one of the toughest challenges in the world of rugby - a match against Ireland on their home turf. The Irish team has proven to be a formidable opponent, with a perfect blend of young talent and experienced veterans. Led by their world-class coach, Andy Farrell, they have become a force to be reckoned with. Last year, they were on their way to a Grand Slam victory until they were unexpectedly defeated by England in a nail-biting match at Twickenham.
The atmosphere was electric, the players were fired up, and the victory was sweet. However, it was short-lived as England's performance in the autumn series was less than impressive, with only one win against Japan. It's no wonder they feel like they are starting from scratch once again. But that's the beauty of rugby - every match is a new opportunity to prove yourself.
Steve Borthwick, who has been at the helm for just over two years now, has made some changes to the team once again. He has replaced the highly respected Jamie George as captain with the dynamic Maro Itoje. Borthwick's reasoning for this change is that he wants a captain who can play the full 80 minutes, but hopefully, Itoje won't spend any of that time in the sin bin.
Injuries and the changing of the guard have slightly unsettled England's selection, and the starting lineup is far from being set in stone. Gone are the days when certain players were guaranteed a spot on the team. It seems that Borthwick's focus is on performance rather than depth, which is evident in his choices for this match.
One of the most talked-about selections is Marcus Smith, who has earned a spot as the starting fly-half after his impressive performances in the autumn series. However, there are still arguments for other players to take on that role. Even though Fin Smith may have been the preferred choice for Borthwick, Marcus has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the team.
Another interesting selection is the Curry twins, Tom and Ben, in the back row. While this is a new combination for England, it's nothing new for the brothers themselves. They have been brought in to disrupt Ireland's breakdown and add some firepower to the team. It may be a gamble, but it's not a bad place to take one.
The breakdown is a crucial area in modern rugby, with the speed of the ball affecting every aspect of the game. This is why England's focus will be on targeting Ireland's breakdown, hoping to gain an advantage in decision-making time.
On the other side, Ireland has their own uncertainties. With Farrell currently on Lions duty, they have a stand-in coach, and without the experienced Johnny Sexton as their leader, some players are struggling to find their form. Their performances in the autumn were not up to their usual standards, which gives England some hope.
Although Ireland is the clear favorite, playing at home with their powerful and action-packed game plan, England won't go down without a fight. Just like last year, when the odds were against them, and the critics were circling, this Borthwick team may surprise us all with a win when we least expect it.
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