England came close to reaching a second consecutive World Cup final, only to have their dreams shattered by South Africa’s Handre Pollard with a 79th-minute penalty in a nail-biting 16-15 semi-final defeat.
Steve Borthwick’s team had led by nine points with 10 minutes remaining in a tournament that exceeded expectations, given their troubled preparation.
Here are five key points from England’s World Cup campaign:
1. Results: England entered the semi-finals with an undefeated record, including a thrilling win over Argentina despite an early red card for Tom Curry. They faced a tough quarter-final against Fiji but triumphed, setting up the South Africa showdown. However, they fell short in the end, with their success partially attributed to being in the weakest pool and the easier half of the draw.
2. Selection: Borthwick’s selection choices were commendable, particularly in the semi-final. George Martin’s performance at lock was a highlight, and veteran props Dan Cole and Joe Marler’s inclusion proved to be effective against the strong South African scrum. Owen Farrell outshone George Ford in the fly-half role, while Marcus Smith’s experiment at full-back was bold but unsuitable for the South Africa match. The partnership of Ford and Farrell, though revived against Samoa, was later abandoned due to poor results.
3. Star Performers: Ben Earl stood out as England’s best performer, despite playing out of position at number eight and having limited Test experience. Marcus Smith’s mesmerizing performance at full-back and Joe Marchant’s flair were notable. Maro Itoje bounced back from a dip in form. Players like Courtney Lawes, Dan Cole, and Danny Care made significant contributions during their England careers, which may have come to an end with the World Cup.
4. Future: Borthwick’s tenure as head coach is expected to continue, with an eye on the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
However, challenges loom, including the retirement of stalwarts like Lawes and Ben Youngs, the need for team rejuvenation, and concerns about depth in certain positions, notably hooker.
The 2024 Six Nations will mark the beginning of this transitional phase. Despite these challenges, Borthwick is seen as the right person to lead England forward, with the only regret being that he did not take over from Eddie Jones sooner.
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