A bronze medal and the end of a cycle for the XV de la Rose. Friday October 27 at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), England beat Argentina (26-23) in the “small final” of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. A third unexpected place, when, in December 2022, Steve Borthwick took charge of the selection to stem the spiral of poor results. The former second row had to deal with the most urgent matters, a few months before the high mass of the Ovalie, of which the English had been finalists in 2019. Borthwick had therefore chosen to rely on the grunts of previous campaigns.
As the French World Cup draws to a close, the observation is edifying: many players in the XV de la Rose are well over thirty and the chances of seeing them on Australian pitches in 2027 seem very slim. Second row Courtney Lawes (34 years old, 105 caps) announced his international retirement at the end of the competition. Hooker Jamie George (33 years old, 84 caps), as well as props Dan Cole (36 years old, 106 caps) and Joe Marler (33 years old, 88 caps), should follow his example.
The hinge members are in a similar situation. Record holder for selections in the jersey of the England team with 127 caps, scrum half Ben Youngs (34 years old) has announced his international retirement. At 32 years old (111 caps), fly-half and captain Owen Farrell does not represent the future either, and it would be surprising to see him play a fourth World Cup, in the antipodes, in four years. Ditto for his understudy, George Ford, who celebrated his 30th birthday, or for scrum half Danny Care (36 years old, 95 caps). “Who will replace these outstanding servants of many years? »wondered the british daily The Guardian, in its October 22 edition.
Once again, the success against Argentina showed how valuable the experience of these players was in tough matches at international level. While the Argentines had just scored two tries in quick succession (36th and 42nd minute), it was the return of several veterans (Daniel Cane, Dan Cole, Jamie George and George Ford) from the fiftieth minute which allowed ensure English victory.
Steve Borthwick will have free rein to rebuild his pack and his hinge. Because if England was often criticized during the World Cup for its lack of ambition – and its game ” ugly “ –, the semi-final lost by a hair against the Springboks (15-16), proved that the style of play advocated by the former international could still be effective. Hitting candles in the drizzle may seem archaic, but it is clear that this tactic foiled the South African title holders.
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