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Former Captain Raises Concerns Over England’s Coaching Setup
As England navigates through the Men’s Six Nations tournament, former captain Will Carling has openly questioned the quality and experience of the national team’s coaching staff. He suggests that the current coaching structure may limit the squad’s full potential.
England has had a mixed performance so far, bouncing back from an opening-round loss to Ireland with narrow one-point victories over France and Scotland. However, criticism remains regarding their playing style and overall effectiveness on the field.
Carling Highlights Coaching Inexperience as a Key Concern
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Carling shared his concerns about the coaching staff’s ability to maximize the team’s talent.
“We have some incredibly talented players, but we might be seeing a restricted version of their capabilities,” Carling noted. “When evaluating the quality of the coaching team, it is essential to question whether this is the highest standard we can provide.”
He pointed out that several coaching team members are still early in their careers and may lack the necessary experience to succeed at the international level. “Some of them are still learning the ropes, and others are relatively young. That inexperience at Test level might be influencing the players’ performances,” he added.
Steve Borthwick’s Coaching Selections Under Scrutiny
England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, is leading an international team for the first time after serving as an assistant for England and Japan. He also guided Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title in 2022.
Upon assuming his role, Borthwick brought Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield from Leicester’s coaching staff. Both coaches are still early in their careers, with less than a decade of coaching experience.
Additionally, defence coach Joe El-Abd is splitting his time between England and French second-tier side Oyonnax until the end of the season. Scrum coach Tom Harrison, at just 33 years old, is younger than England’s experienced hooker, Jamie George.
A huge congratulations to one of our own, @J_George2, on being named England Rugby captain ahead of their upcoming Six Nations campaign. 👏 https://t.co/Q91R772A9a
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 17, 2024
Carling also referenced Felix Jones, who had a key role in South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs. Jones joined England’s coaching team but departed after only seven months, returning to the Springboks.
“I still believe this team has far greater potential, and I hope we start to see that unfold,” Carling said. The former England captain had a part-time mentoring role under Eddie Jones, Borthwick’s predecessor.
Players Defend the Current Coaching Staff
England vice-captain Ellis Genge recently responded to criticism from former players like Carling, calling them “out of touch” and arguing they do not fully recognize the team’s efforts in reversing a problematic period. Before their recent turnaround, England had suffered six losses in seven Tests.
Carling, however, disagreed with this viewpoint, emphasizing the value of insights from past players. Numerous former players have extensive experience and deep knowledge. I understand that as a current player, you become highly sensitive to outside opinions,” he said.
“But let’s be honest, this has been a challenging period for England for three or four years now. Players need to understand that public scrutiny and opinions are a natural part of the game.”
England’s Legacy and the Path Forward
Reflecting on his playing days, Carling acknowledged that criticism from media and fans is nothing new. “I remember times when we secured some ugly wins, and the reactions weren’t always positive. It’s frustrating, but you have to take a deep breath and accept it,” he said.
Carling captained England in 59 matches, leading them to three Grand Slams and a Rugby World Cup final during the 1990s. His experience supports his concerns about England’s coaching setup.
With the Six Nations tournament still underway, the focus remains on whether Borthwick’s coaching team can overcome these concerns and unlock England’s true potential. The road ahead will determine if England can return to the dominant form that fans and former players like Carling believe is possible.
