Borthwick had been underneath stress after the primary few matches of the marketing campaign, with complaints revamped an absence of long-term development and magnificence of play on the ball. However a momentous victory over Eire in Twickenham was backed up by a swashbuckling efficiency in Lyon and the longer term is out of the blue trying lots brighter.
Woodward, who coached England to their 2003 Rugby World Cup victory, has been delighted with the workforce’s previous two outings however nonetheless harbours some issues going ahead. Borthwick will lead the workforce on the summer season tour matches in opposition to New Zealand however Woodward has some critiques over how the ex-Leicester Tigers boss makes an attempt to affect matches.
“One factor I’d nonetheless like Borthwick to do is a little more thought on substitutions. He changed your entire entrance row early within the second half in opposition to France,” Woodward wrote for the Each day Mail. “These switches included captain Jamie George.
“I don’t suppose they had been wanted. Neither was eradicating Henry Slade for Manu Tuilagi who was having a powerful sport. Why take off your finest gamers, particularly your captain? That’s a serious studying for the longer term however total, effectively achieved Steve.”
Woodward was happy total with England’s marketing campaign, ending third behind Eire and France with three wins from 5 matches, claiming that he didn’t count on to be so buoyant over the workforce’s future.
Regardless of holding a small criticism of Borthwick, England’s third-placed end on the World Cup and a morale-boosting Six Nations bodes effectively, although Woodward insists {that a} spirited match ought to have been capped off with victory on Saturday.
“England ought to have crushed France they usually don’t want me to inform them that,” Woodward added. “Although they misplaced in Lyon and did not back-up the good victory over Eire at Twickenham, head coach Borthwick and his gamers must be happy with a powerful marketing campaign.
“For the previous three years, England have solely gained twice in every of these Six Nations which merely wasn’t ok. Whereas three victories in 2024 suggests solely a marginal enchancment on the previous, England’s progress has been far higher than that proven purely by the statistics.
“For the primary time in a protracted, very long time, I’m optimistic about England’s future. The primary purpose for that’s due to the model of play they produced in opposition to Eire and France.”
