England's biggest Six Nations challenge identified amid 'worst team' comment

16 March 2024 , 08:00

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England have used their recent criticism as a motivator

England produced their best performance to see off Ireland - but their biggest challenge against France will be finding the motivation to go again.

Steve Borthwick's side had meandered through the tournament, winning two of their three games, but last month's defeat at Scotland and the manner of it led to scathing criticism. England have only won two games in each of their past three Six Nations and were facing that prospect for a fourth straight year.

Ireland came to Twickenham as monumental favourites but Ollie Lawrence's early try began a display that ended with Marcus Smith's last minute drop goal. It became apparent post-match that the squad had used the criticism to spur them on.

Ben Earl, who was named Player of the Match and scored England's third try, told ITV broadcaster Topsy Ojo: "Some of the crap that's been thrown in this last week. Apparently we're the worst England team ever so we did pretty well for that accolade."

Now, with France in Lyon their final assignment, a shot at winning the Six Nations remains, albeit it would require a huge swing and results to go their way. Ojo insists, after having praise poured upon them this past week, that finding the motivation will be their biggest challenge.

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He told Mirror Sport : "I guess when you build into games you'll use whatever motivation you need to go to battle. They picked up on some words that've been said - whether that's press, ex-player saying they're the worst England team and Ireland would win at a canter. How much truth there is? We don't know, but it is very evident they used that as fuel.

"Things like being back at Twickenham, the loss to Scotland, what happened with Jamie George's mum - there were a lot of emotional factors to help them deliver. It happens - as much as people say don't listen to the external noise they are human beings and they watch the news and have social media so it'll always work its way back.

England secured a dramatic victory over Ireland at Twickenham (Getty Images)

"If you use it as a positive and it delivers a performance then great - it is just about getting that balance. Going into this weekend it'll be the opposite - they wont' have all those emotional factors - so how do you replicate that and that's the challenge. I'd seen a few things, especially from some former Irish players, but I didn't expect it to have hit home like it did. But I'm all for it, why not."

Performance - not result - the focus in France

Already there has been talk within the England camp and publicly about using the Ireland win as a springboard - not merely a one off performance that looks good in insolation. The 2019 World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand is regarded as the best performance in a generation - but the team couldn't back it up a week later.

This time England want to ensure they build on their win at Twickenham. 12 months ago Les Blues enjoyed their greatest ever day in London as they recorded a record victory on a rain-soaked afternoon, in which they stuck more than 50 points on Borthwick's side.

England have won just once in France since 2011 and a victory at the Groupama Stadium would be an upset, even if the French have been far from their best throughout the tournament. Borthwick and the players have talked about evolving throughout the tournament and Ojo maintains a strong display, even in defeat, will still be more than enough to keep the team going in the right direction.

France enjoyed a dominant win over England 12 months ago (Getty Images)

"I would say we need a performance definitely and then hopefully the result comes," he said. "The reason I say that is there were so many factors to generate the Irish performance, we probably won't have that in France. So can they take things they did well and go and do that away from home.

"If they can deliver it and lose, you can still see the improvements in defence and the attacking ambition. We can still see all that in defeat, even though we of course want them to win. But if they perform, we can see a consistency and what they've talked about building they've built."

Earl on the money

England's No 8 scored his second try of the Championship last week and has been one of their outstanding performances. Earl really cemented himself at the back of the pack at the World Cup and has continued that form ever since.

Ben Earl has been an outstanding performer

His post-match comments suggest he's playing with plenty of motivation and, after waiting patiently to be thrown in as a starter, the Saracens man looks to be a guarantee in the team. There was plenty of talk of England's options in that position with Zach Mercer among those to be vocal about his omission, but Ojo insists there can be no arguments currently.

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"I'd say even off the back of the World Cup, the 8 shirt was his to lose," said the ex-international. "Yes there was a lot of talk of Zach and other 8s, but in recent times at Saracens he has operated as a 7 and an 8.

"So in certain positions on the pitch he's been the 8 and it has been about using that speed, accelerating off the back, being the first to the breakdown. He's previously had Billy Vunipola at club and country so he's not necessarily been looked at as an 8 but he's an incredibly talented back rower."

Samuel Meade