Paul Grayson column: Why northern grit is key to improving England fortunes

England have done more than just replace a head coach, they have ceased obsessing about tomorrow and started focusing on today. They have done so by turning to uncompromising rugby men of Carlisle, Oldham and Wigan

The false promises and mind games have given way to good old fashioned northern grit.

The Eddie Jones era is at an end, straight talking, hard work and a total absence of bull***t the new order of the day.

England have done more than just replace a head coach, they have ceased obsessing about tomorrow and started focusing on today. They have done so by turning to uncompromising rugby men of Carlisle, Oldham and Wigan.

While Jones tells his new audience in Australia how his new team can win the World Cup, Steve Borthwick, Kevin Sinfield and Owen Farrell have eyes fixed only on this evening.

I think of the great teams England have produced down the years and how many were built on a foundation of northern rock.

Men like Bill Beaumont, Fran Cotton and Wade Dooley; Brian Moore, Roger Uttley and Mickey Skinner. Players who got the job done with minimum fuss.

This is what I expect from a team prepared by Borthwick and Sinfield and led on the field by Farrell.

We all know England need to go back to basics. To concentrate on winning the first scrum in the first game rather than a World Cup seven months away.

This trio will deliver that focus. For them this opportunity is a matter of deep personal pride.

With rugby league and only two professional union clubs there are limited opportunities to make it big in this code up north.

Those who do tend to be fierce competitors, players proud of their roots who recognise that where they come from is an essential part of their person. Players like these three.

So when Borthwick, Sinfield and Farrell say their charges will work their socks off and fight for the badge you can be pretty sure that is what they will do.

Scotland are a strong opponent but I fully expect England to be gun-to-tape flat out. There is no doubting their mission this time.

PAUL GRAYSON'S TEAM-BY-TEAM TOURNAMENT GUIDE

IRELAND

Coach: Andy Farrell

Captain: Johnny Sexton

Prospects: Ranked No1 in world and bizarrely in a World Cup year you fancy them to get even better. Historically they’ve hit their peak come RWC year but this team is very settled, fully resourced, ticking away nicely. No reason they shouldn’t be favourites, other than they have a history of not delivering in the year that matters most. Just get a sense Andy Farrell won’t let that happen this time.

Key man: Tadhg Furlong - Jack of all trades, master of pretty much all

Predicted finish: 1st

Fixtures: Wales (a), France (h), Italy (a), Scotland (a), England (h).

FRANCE

Coach: Fabian Galthie

Captain: Antoine Dupont

Prospects: Unbeaten through 2022 and understandably World Cup favourites on home soil, yet come into Six Nations with a few midfield issues, with Danty injured and Vakatawa forced to retire. Don’t get me wrong they still ooze quality. In Antoine Dupont they possess the world’s best player and have proven leaders in Greg Alldritt and Charles Ollivon to help shoulder the load. Having to go to Dublin will probably cost them title.

Key man: Dupont - an unstoppable force

Predicted finish: 2nd

Fixtures: Italy (a), Ireland (a), Scotland (h), England (a), Wales (h)

ENGLAND

Coach: Steve Borthwick

Captain: Owen Farrell

Key man: Ben Curry - Must look after Marcus Smith and take care of Finn Russell

Fixtures: Scotland (h), Italy (h), Wales (a), France (h), Ireland (a)

Predicted finish: 3rd

SCOTLAND

Coach: Gregor Townsend

Captain: Jamie Ritchie

Prospects: Come to Twickenham full of beans. They’ll view England as slightly vulnerable at home, lots of change, few injuries. They’ll be no fear. That though may just play to England’s favour. The fact Scotland will feel they maybe should win might just move the needle as historically it has when they’ve not been underdogs. Happened in 2016. Scots were fancied, England hit them for 61 points.

Key man: Finn Russell

Fixtures: England (a), Wales (h), France (a), Ireland (h), Italy (h)

Predicted finish: 4th.

WALES

Coach: Ken Owens

Captain: Warren Gatland

Prospects: Opening game so crucial for Wales. Beat Ireland and anything is possible, lose at home and it could be a tough spring. What we know of Gatland is that he makes the most of the players he has. His very talented squads win, his less talented ones are still always a pain. One way or another I suspect he will make them difficult to beat. He’s been lucky far too many times to be a lucky coach.

Key man: Dan Biggar

Fixtures: Ireland (h), Scotland (a), England (h), Italy (a), France (a)

Predicted finish: 5th.

ITALY

Coach: Kieran Crowley

Captain: Michele Lamaro

Prospects: Beat Wales away and Australia at home in 2022 so whipping boys they no longer are. They have finally found a high-quality fly-half in Paolo Garbisi and have a world class finisher in Ange Capuozzo. Still don’t see them troubling France, England and Ireland but Wales at home and Murrayfield on the final day could bring them reward.

Key man: Capuozzo.

Fixtures: France (h), England (a), Ireland (h), Wales (h), Scotland (a)

Predicted finish: 6th.

Tournament odds (Hills): 5/4 Ireland. 2 France, 4 England, 10 Wales, 22 Scotland, 500 Italy.