'The game of rugby has moved on from the game England play'
England’s slim chances of claiming the Six Nations title were crushed by an inspired France, who pummelled Steve Borthwick’s side in a sobering 53-10 victory at Twickenham on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick conceded that his selection and tactics had been no match for the number two side in the world in a desperate display, which culminated in England’s heaviest ever home defeat.
Telegraph readers discussed France's brilliance, as others deconstructed where it went so wrong for England and suggested where England can go from here.
Readers lamented the disparity between error-ridden England and the merciless French team.
Assessing England’s performance, many criticised the side’s general fitness, physicality, lack of passion and shortcomings in the contact area.
Others argued that the buck ultimately stops at the door of the Rugby Football Union and their poor decision-making.
Alistair Munro: “The game of rugby has moved on from the game England play.
"It is now about athletic forwards combined with backs who don't play to rigid plans but ingenuity, flair and style.
“Ireland have it, France have it and even Scotland. England do not.”
Edwin Dodson: “A lot of talk about coaches and players here and quite rightly, but what about the RFU? Not only are they directly responsible for the mismanagement of England’s coaching, but in my opinion they are ruining the Twickenham experience.
“I see it as no coincidence that as ticket prices have risen, club ticket allocations have been reduced and fewer true rugby fans have been able to attend that England’s home performances have deteriorated.
“I have stopped going to Twickenham as I used to spend most of my time watching the backs of people getting up to go for another beer and enduring the endless burble from their drunken chat, often completely at odds with anything going on on the pitch.”
Chris Cottrell: “France, Ireland, Scotland and Italy are showing that rugby union can be a hugely exciting, skilled game. They're doing it using run-pass attack.
“England and Wales have spent years on 'pressure-max', where kick chase is combined with an aggressive defence. The goal is to give the opposition the ball and squeeze them until they make mistakes.
“While it used to work on occasion, it has led to the atrophy of run-pass skills. When England do make line breaks, teammates aren't running support lines, tacklers are not drawn and manipulated, overlaps are not exploited.”
Andy Cunliffe: "Why are the players shouldering the blame?
"England were outclassed, man-for-man, in skills and fitness. It isn't like they weren't fighting, it's just that they were completely outmatched. The coaching staff can only work with what they have, and this is apparently the best we have.
"This is the gross failure of the English rugby system as a whole."
Among much criticism, some readers turned their focus to what Borthwick’s side must do in order to become competitive against the top teams in the world.
The majority of readers agree that the match was a reality check for the England side and that an evolution of some sort must take place. While some criticise England’s club system and suggest it needs an overhaul, others argue that the team requires more power, tactical nous and cohesion.
Jonathan Mcilwaine: “Finally a reality check. Yes, English players come across as being a lot weaker than their opponents; the French made them look like children. At least now that the head coach has admitted it, we might be able to fix it.
“There needs to be a lot more power and energy combined with a lot more desire and discipline. Fitness seems to be a real problem.”
William Osborn: “We were humbled by France and we would like to hear reasoned suggestions as to how we move forward.
“For me, it underlines a lack of cohesion. England said they wanted to move on from a kicking game. Well it didn’t work, did it. Instead of a planned game with contestable kicks, we saw aimless, too long kicks that just put us under pressure. We could not play an expansive game because we were constantly on the back foot.
“The coaches I expect will hold their hands up and say they got it wrong. They tried to move too quickly.
“Every knowledgeable rugby follower knew we had to be patient and let systems bed in. It didn’t take long for that patience to evaporate. Remember the shellacking Lancaster and Andy Farrell got after England’s RWC?”
Mike Jones: “For each area of France dominance Borthwick had a plan to negate it but the team wasn’t able to execute it so they lost. Maybe he and his coaches are overthinking a game that is basically pick up the ball and run!
“France, Ireland and now Scotland play with a spring in their step and seem released from plan A B and the rest. Instead, they play free flowing rugby that is amazing to watch when they play each other and that simply blows away teams like England who are playing to a plodding plan A in each area of the game.”
Robert Jenkins: “Getting rid of a player you don't like is not the answer. Replacing hate figure Farrell with messiah Smith achieved nothing. Anyone watching carefully could see that this was a team failure. 15 guys playing as individuals and not working as a team. Turnovers, penalties and knock ons galore speak of a team that is not working as a unit. Sticking the boot into individuals is not the solution.”
Readers discussed the sheer power, flair and commitment of the French side, with many particularly impressed by captain Antoine Dupont’s performance.
Some reasoned that any side, not just England, would have struggled to match up to their physical dominance, intensity and pace.
Andrew Marshall: “The worst part of it all was how much England were simply outmuscled. The French were bigger, faster, stronger and way more committed. It was back to watching the rugby of my youth in the 70s when we were the perpetual wooden spooners.”
Tomatee Deverlin: “Gutting, but France were brilliant. They played rugby the way it should be played, with fizzing passes and high speed. There's no reason we can't play like that too, but we're too obdurate, functional, rumbling.”
Jerry Markham: “The result was a shock, however, let’s give France credit for playing just about the perfect match and game plan.
“England were poor, but I do not think any side could have stayed with France. Their handling and imposing physical dominance was a painful joy to watch.
“I thought Jonny Wilkinson’s post match comments were very insightful, with him experiencing the 76-0 stuffing by the Wallabies in Oz.
“England have hit rock bottom, the players and coaches must be in shock. But being at rock bottom England can now only get better. Good luck to them.”
