With the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand looming larger on the horizon, this year’s Six Nations Championship needs to be a productive one for Martin Johnson’s England side.
Following an underwhelming Autumn series and a run of six wins in 14 matches, only the staunchest of England supporters will be predicting a first championship victory since 2003. While more realistic followers will need to be reminded to remain patient with a side that is a ‘work in progress’.
England were woeful against their southern hemisphere rivals in the Autumn; their forward pack looked cumbersome and off the pace, their back-line toothless and lacking flair.
Therefore this year’s Six Nations is a chance for England to prove they are taking a step in the right direction and that Johnson has a long-term solution for the waning prospects of English rugby.
If, by the end of March, England appear to have the makings of a side that could compete at the World Cup, then it will have been a successful Six Nations campaign for Johnson’s men.
Rejuvenated England
And there are positive early indications for those who are hoping for a rejuvenated England. An attacking backline with Riki Flutey partnering Jonny Wilkinson in the midfield and Delon Armitage restored, alongside Mark Cueto and Ugo Monye in the back three, giving much cause for optimism.
“We were maybe a little bit too prescriptive in the autumn and there were reasons for that. We know we have got to more effective,” admitted Johnson when he named his side on Tuesday.
“The guys have got to make the instinctive calls within the pressures of a Test match and we trust them to do that. When the opportunities are there we have to be able to see them and take them,” he added, suggesting a new attacking approach for a side that has scored just one try in their last three matches.
Two inclusions that could reflect this new approach are Sale Sharks’ Mathew Tait, who has been selected at outside centre for the first time since the 2007 World Cup final, and Harlequins’ scrum-half Danny Care.
Attacking flair
Both are brimming with attacking flair and will be prepared to back their instincts on the international stage, something which England players seem to have lacked since Clive Woodward’s reign.
“We trust these guys to go out and play,” said Johnson on Tuesday. “Mat Tait is a massive talent and an instinctive player. He can also defend very well and he has a good kicking game. Danny is probably the best running nine that we have. He is playing very well and he is the best guy for what we want to do on Saturday.”
Tait and Care are the type of players that English rugby needs to put their faith in during the build up to the World Cup and the reasons why Johnson deserves our patience.
If the 2003 World Cup winning skipper sticks to this more attacking approach then the side will need time to gel and mistakes are inevitable. But when the alternative is a further two years of performances like in the Autumn, Johnson should be given time to streamline this new bolder approach.
Chance to spring an upset
However, long-term goals aside, international rugby is a results business and the England management will not be content with token victories against Scotland and Italy. And with Wales and Ireland travelling to Twickenham, they will believe they have an ideal chance to spring an upset.
If England can beat Wales in their opening fixture on Saturday, even with a loss to Ireland at Twickenham three weeks later, they could still be in contention for the championship going to the Stade de France on 20 March.
Last year’s Grand Slam winners Ireland will start as favourites for the Championship but face a tough trip to France themselves in the second round of fixtures. If Les Bleus can pull off an upset, then England, France and Ireland could be playing for the championship come the final weekend.
And while England will start as underdogs to claim a win in Paris, to be in with a chance of the title going into the final round of matches would constitute a successful campaign.
Although for some England fans, evidence of a team building towards next year’s World Cup would be enough, regardless of the Six Nations table.