England determined to put down Six Nations marker in 2023 fixtures
With the 2023 World Cup in September edging closer, new England head coach Steve Borthwick will be looking to start his reign positively with a strong Six Nations campaign with the fixtures impending
The Red Rose are looking to go in a new direction following the departure of coach Eddie Jones in December and the side will be determined to build up some winning momentum before the World Cup on French soil later this year.
England determined to put down Six Nations marker in 2023 season fixtures
Borthwick Looking To Hit The Ground Running
With not long to go before the World Cup in September, Borthwick has not been afforded much time to get England moving in the right direction after a disappointing Autumn Series. The Red Rose are priced at +600 in the rugby union betting to win the World Cup as it’s expected to be too little time to turn the team around.
This is no different in the Six Nations betting as they are priced at +450 to win the competition this season, while France and Ireland are at shorter odds to lift the prestigious trophy. Having come out on top in just four games over the last two Six Nations campaigns, there is certainly plenty of work to be done to get England challenging both the French and the Irish for the title once again.
As a former player and assistant coach with England, Borthwick is fully aware of the high-pressure environment he is going back into by heading to Twickenham. Having guided Leicester Tigers to the English Premiership title last season, Borthwick was the prime candidate above all others to replace Jones once the Rugby Football Union (RFU) made its decision to part company with the Australian coach. With defense coach Kevin Sinfield also leaving Leicester to work with England, Borthwick has struck up a good partnership with the former Leeds Rhinos rugby league legend. The pair have taken on an England side desperate to get back to challenging for trophies and the first opportunity comes in the Six Nations.
France The Team To Beat
Reigning Six Nations champions France have been the dominant force in the northern hemisphere of late and will take some stopping to be denied back-to-back titles. Winning the Grand Slam by beating all before them last season, France has come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. As hosts of the World Cup this year, Les Bleus are the favorites to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy on home soil this autumn.
England will host France in the Six Nations this year at Twickenham in a game that will be a great acid test to see how Borthwick’s new-look side measures up against the 2023 World Cup favorites. The Red Rose know they are capable of getting the better of the French, having won two of their last three encounters. Les Bleus did manage to win their last meeting 25-13 at the Stade de France in Paris last season and England will be looking for some revenge when the reigning Six Nations champions head to London on March 11.
The RFU made a big decision in bringing Jones’ seven-year tenure to an end so close to a World Cup. Borthwick will be determined to prove England’s hierarchy made the right call.
