TWO WEEKS TO SORT IT OUT

turnovers and offered a presence in the pack they missed against Scotland. He picked and chose his moments to attack and, when he was replaced by Ben Earl, England didn’t lose any ferocity in the position throughout.

LOVING LAWRENCE

Another player to have transferred clubs this year due to financial woes was Ollie Lawrence. The centre began the season at Worcester Warriors and is now shining at Bath.

On Sunday he brought balance to an England 10-12-13 combination that

The number of tackles England missed against Italy on Sunday hadn’t been seen for around a decade – since the days of Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi. cused than previously. ments between now and France 2023. The side now face their next test, one of the biggest matches in international rugby.

It vindicated Borthwick’s decision to drop Marcus Smith to the bench.

That said, when Henry Slade was replaced in the final 10 minutes to make room for the maverick Smith, it may have been better to have taken Farrell off and give Smith a go with the same centre partnership.

Borthwick has time to build ahead of the World Cup but there’s only seven matches between now and his opener in France.

And while there were improvements between the Scotland loss and the Italy win, they were minimal.

Wales will be tough to beat despite not firing in their opening two matches, and at home they’re a different beast.

Cardiff is calling England and the hours until kick-off are on the minds of many.

If the travelling side can be more efficient and use their best players properly, they’ll have a chance.