2023 is a big one for England as they look to find form ahead of the Rugby World Cup later in the year. The 2023 Six Nations Championship did not go to plan, but can wounded England recover before the World Cup in France?
England’s Poor Six Nations Campaign
England’s disappointing Six Nations campaign ends with a tough game against Ireland. The English are priced at 7/1 to pick up a shock win in Dublin. Looking at the France v Wales odds, the French are the strong favourites to win that one at just 1/25, while Scotland are priced at 1/10 to beat Italy in their final game.
Although Ireland and France were ahead of England in the pre-tournament betting, Steve Borthwick’s side would have fancied their chances of winning the Six Nations for the first time since 2020. However, it has no doubt been a tough Six Nations Championship for the English.
England were beaten at home by Scotland in game one before easing past Italy at Twickenham Stadium. They won 20-10 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in game three to keep their Six Nations dreams alive, but an historic 53-10 home reverse to France put paid to those hopes.
“We are sorry and we need to get better.” pic.twitter.com/J29pmq3Igf
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 13, 2023
Borthwick Hoping to Get England Back to Their Best
Eddie Jones was a popular manager during his tenure at Twickenham, guiding England to the World Cup final in 2019. The English were also Six Nations winners on three occasions under Jones, winning the Grand Slam in 2016, and the Triple Crown in 2016 and 2020.
After some poor form, Jones was sacked as England manager in December 2022, returning to Australia the following month. Borthwick took over as England boss, and the former Bath and Saracens man has big boots to fill at Twickenham.
It has been a tough time in the hot seat so far for Borthwick, but this current crop of England players can turn things around. They can forget about the Six Nations and turn their attention to the World Cup.
Can England Find Form Before World Cup?
England had a World Cup to remember back in 2019, as Jones took them to the final against the odds. They won Pool C ahead of France to advance to the knockout stages in Japan. England then thumped Australia before beating New Zealand to book their place in the Yokohama final. Unfortunately, South Africa were too strong at International Stadium Yokohama, beating England 32-12 to get their hands on the trophy.
Regardless of their form prior to the 2023 World Cup, England always back themselves to perform on the grandest stage. They are the only Home Nation to win the World Cup, prevailing in Australia 20 years ago.
England are in Pool D in the 2023 edition. They kick off their tournament with a game against Argentina in Marseille. England then face Japan in Nice and Chile in Lille before ending Pool D with a fixture with Samoa at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
If the 2023 Six Nations is anything to go by, a lot of work needs to be done in the England camp before they face Argentina at the Stade Velodrome in September. However, they remain one of the top nations in world rugby and could be a dark horse on French soil.
