Injury crises and Borthwick under scrutiny: it’s that time of year again for England rugby

Sunday’s hosts need to stop looking for excuses and focus on what they can control to kick off the Nations Championsip against battle-hardened Australia Several things are increasingly guaranteed from an English rugby perspective around this time of year. Bang on cue the injury n

Sunday’s hosts need to stop looking for excuses and focus on what they can control to kick off the Nations Championsip against battle-hardened Australia Several things are increasingly guaranteed from an English rugby perspective around this time of year. Bang on cue the injury news and the weather both start to worsen. Cracks in the relationship between the players and their head coach, in this case Steve Borthwick, begin to surface.

And as the crowds stream up from Twickenham railway station past the biltong and burger stalls, no one has much idea what to expect. This year it has been the same old story. Particularly on the injury front.

If Tom Curry , Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland had not all been hurt on the Bagshot training pitch, all three would probably be in England’s matchday 23. With Guy Pepper, Benhard van Rensburg, Sam Underhill, Kepu Tuipulotu and Chandler Cunningham-South also out of the running, the squad is not quite as fizzing with energy and dynamism as it might be. Continue reading...