LAST UPDATE | 8 Sep 2023
ENGLAND HEAD COACH Steve Borthwick insists they are ready to defy gloomy predictions for their World Cup by delivering a reaction against Argentina in Saturday’s pivotal opener.
The Pumas are in the rare position of being assigned favourites for the main event of Pool D, based on a strong year under the guidance of Michael Cheika and their 30-29 victory at Twickenham in November.
England, meanwhile, have gone into freefall following a run of five defeats in six Tests that no longer makes qualification for the knockout phase appear to be the formality it once was.
Borthwick, who has named Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Tom Curry at openside for the Marseille showdown, insists the low expectations have sent ripples of indignation through the squad.
“I sense there is a feeling among the players they’ve been written off too early. People have called time on them a bit too early,” Borthwick said.
“I sense the frustration about what people have been saying about them and right now I have an expectation that they will go and perform with the quality that they have.
“I sense from them that there’s a real determination to go and put their best performances on the park.
“There is a lot of class in this squad. The players have a hell of a lot more to go. They can’t wait to get stuck in on Saturday night.
“Our job is put in a performance that this team is capable of and I know these players are capable of. I know these players are determined to deliver on Saturday night. That’s our job now.”
Borthwick’s theme of an England side ready to exit their slump in time to make an impact at the World Cup was taken up by captain Courtney Lawes, who is leading the team in the absence of the suspended Owen Farrell.
When asked if the players are angry at recent performances, Lawes replied: “There’s definitely a frustration. We feel it as much as anybody.
“We are in the thick of it and we are doing everything we can to make sure, come this weekend, we are firing on all cylinders.
“It’s going to be a hell of a spectacle, so enjoy it. We are going out all guns blazing and we are going to give it everything we have got.
“It’s the first game of the World Cup and we’re going to be well up for it.”
