26 March 2024 , 11:37
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England will "absolutely have a chance" of beating New Zealand in their own backyard if they carry their Six Nations form into the summer.
Steve Borthwick's side, after a difficult opening few rounds of the championship, began to show they'd turned a corner with some impressive displays of attacking rugby against some of the world's best sides. England saw off Ireland at Twickenham thanks to a last minute drop goal from Marcus Smith.
A week later they backed that up with a four-try performance in France, only losing due to a last minute penalty as they were edged out in Lyon. Nevertheless there is growing optimism that the coach's ideas are beginning to bear fruit ahead of the biggest challenge in rugby.
England will travel to the All Blacks in the summer, where they'll play two tests after also facing Japan. New Zealand begin their Scott Robertson era and will face England at Eden Park, where they've not lost a match since 1994.
Broadcaster Topsy Ojo, who made his England debut in New Zealand back in 2008, believes England can give the Southern Hemisphere nation a run for their money if they continue to play their attacking brand of rugby.
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He told Mirror Sport: "We'll absolutely have a chance. There was a clear identity about England. In the opening few rounds we saw it defensively, in the final two rounds we saw how they'll go about things from an attacking sense. That's what happens when you get to spend a bit of time together working on a new system, allowing players to bed in, trusting each other and then you get performances like we did against Ireland and France. Taking that form to face Japan and New Zealand gives them a great chance to perform and get some wins."
Smith was crucial in the final two Six Nations outings, hitting his drop goal against Ireland and scoring a try in France. Against Les Blues he came on at fullback, a position he's occupied in recent months for his country. That has allowed George Ford to control the game at fly-half with the Harlequins star having more of a free role.
Marcus Smith produced several big moments in the Six Nations (The RFU Collection via Getty Ima)That has aided England and Ojo believes that Smith's impact, coupled with his ability to now play effectively in two positions, will aid his selection. Nevertheless, the mercurial star will be targeting the 10 shirt, but his influence off the bench could be another string to England's bow.
"I think going forward he'll be putting his hand up to play fly-half - that's where he wants to play, that's his best position, that's where he's at home," Ojo said. "What he's opened up more recently is an ability to be dynamic and play in that fullback slot. So if he's not starting more than likely he puts himself in the 23 with the ability to cover two positions. People talk a lot about getting two playmakers on the pitch and this is another way of doing it and it gives you options."
One man who has distanced himself from England - and will soon be ineligible anyway - is Owen Farrell. England managed impressively without the former captain, who will move to French side Racing 92 for next season. The overseas law means he'd be unavailable to Borthwick if he put his hand up for selection.
Henry Arundell is currently unavailable due to playing in France (PA)Several men who are keen to play for England but can't due to the rule after the likes of Jack Willis and Henry Arundell. Both ply their trade across the channel but are among the country's brightest talents. The debate continues to be had about relaxing the rule in some capacity with England currently missing out on some serious potential.
Ojo said: "I would like to see it relaxed, I understand you want access to players and be able to manage their workloads and how many games they play. I think Borthwick has said, if the agreement they have with the EPS clubs, if they could work that abroad then why not.
"The players who move abroad do it to widen their experience and improve as players, which adds value to the England team, they're not doing it to detract from the England team. If you want to be the best in the world then you need the best players available to you."