If only one remains! The only European nation qualified in the last four and the only undefeated team still in the running, the English are still alive in this World Cup. And yet, they were by far the worst off and when you pay a little attention to the content, all is not rosy on Steve Borthwick’s side of players. The rough rugby practiced in recent years is still there. And let’s be honest, there is a little whiff of injustice when we know that at the same time the French and the Irish are exiting the competition through the back door.
First at the end of a controlled group stage, let’s say it clearly, England owes this qualification largely to the weakness of its opponents. Already, on the verge of correctional in a match without stakes, a week ago against Samoa, Owen Farrell’s partners did not go far from the track after this sluggish victory against Fiji (30 to 24).
“Well done to the players who held up well,” reacted Steve Borthwick. And congratulations to Fiji, not just for this match but for their entire World Cup. It’s a huge team. They have a great coach and magnificent players. » In a press conference, he preferred to minimize the approximations of his players, but to emphasize the strength of these opponents. “We knew it would be complicated and it was. We controlled most of the match. But Fiji scored two tries in quick succession, two tries which are typical of their rugby. Not sure many other teams can score such tries. But we kept our calm and managed to come back. »
Facing South Africa, the XV de la Rose does not take on the role of favorite, far from it! “Many did not see these players making it through the groups,” explained Steve Borthwick realistically. But we are in the semi-final today.” For his part, captain Owen Farrell, elected man of the match and author of 20 points, admits that his team “still has to work hard” to hope to reach the final. In the mixed zone, Maro Itoje explained that he had never doubted the qualification of his team since the start of the World Cup. “It’s sometimes difficult when the results don’t follow,” he concedes. And this summer, that was our case. But sometimes this kind of experience builds minds. We are focused on what we have to do, that’s our state of mind.”
Booed during the announcement of the team compositions by the French supporters at the velodrome, it would be wrong to bury them too soon. Because the English have one strength: they love to be hated. A joke circulates every year during the VI nation tournament: “in rugby, what matters is not who you are, but who you want to see lose: England.” “Being public enemy number 1 doesn’t bother us, and we’re quite happy to put on this tunic,” rejoiced Billy Vunipola after the sluggish victory against Samoa. This black sheep status is even a driving force. A cement that unifies a group on a mission.
For Steve Borthwick, “this group is as united as in 2007 and knows what it has to do. We work hard. In 2007, after the group match against South Africa, we had to get back to work and that’s what I found in this team. » It doesn’t matter if the rugby played is not the best. The Irish have been playing very good rugby for 4 years, but go home after the quarters. The English are convinced, they can be world champions. “We want to win, no matter how,” confirms Owen Farrel. We must seize every opportunity. There are still excellent teams in the competition and we respect all the teams. But there are many ways to win. We saw it with Fiji, they managed to turn the match around. But only the result counts.”
And if the rest of the world is against, a small part in the west of Europe will push very hard behind, in the stands of the Vélodrome, the English supporters, numerous, but in the minority (the French having taken up the cause of Fiji ) were able to make themselves heard. “What I am certain of is that the fans have been behind us since the start of the tournament and that is what counts,” stresses Steve Borthwick. With this poor and clumsy rugby, the English have perhaps found a cart that will carry them gently to the final.
