Steve Borthwick believes the pain of England’s last-gasp 48-46 defeat to France can drive them forward, despite finishing fifth in the Six Nations. The head coach said the hurt would be used to make the team stronger, after a campaign that fell short of high aspirations.
“I’m really disappointed for the players and supporters … it was so close to being a special day,” Borthwick said. He insisted he remained the right man to lead the team, adding: “I sense a determination to make sure this hurt makes the team stronger in the future.”
Borthwick conceded discipline must improve – “When we keep 15 men on the field we look a very good team” – but questioned second-half decisions that helped France back into the game. He was particularly irked by the buildup to Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s fourth try, when England thought they had a penalty advantage only for the decision to be amended. “The players on the pitch were told it was a penalty advantage,” he said, vowing to ask for explanations from the game’s authorities.
Captain Maro Itoje echoed the head coach’s optimism, stating: “I truly believe this team is going places.” He added that England had been better at converting territory into points but were disappointed with overall performances.
France coach Fabien Galthié hailed Thomas Ramos’s late kick as “maybe the best kicker around,” and praised Bielle-Biarrey, comparing him to captain Antoine Dupont: “He’s an unbelievable weapon.”
