Ellis Genge has voiced his frustration over the criticism England received following their narrow victory against Scotland in the Calcutta Cup. Despite securing their first win over Scotland in five years and keeping their Six Nations title hopes alive, the reaction from former players and pundits left the England prop baffled.
Genge expressed disbelief at the negativity surrounding the victory, highlighting how some ex-players, both recently retired and long retired, seemed out of touch. He pointed out that England had been heavily criticized for losing close matches in the past, yet when they managed to win by a single point, the reaction was still negative.
Acknowledging that the performance was not particularly attractive, Genge emphasized the importance of results over style. He recalled how England had previously been praised for playing expansive rugby but ultimately lost games. He questioned whether fans would prefer a team that consistently loses in high-scoring encounters or one that grinds out victories, even if they are not visually appealing.
Referencing South Africa’s 16-15 World Cup semi-final win over England, he noted that the Springboks were not criticized for their pragmatic approach. Genge believes that England should be given credit for finding ways to win rather than being scrutinized for not playing entertaining rugby.
While he values the support of England fans, he feels there needs to be a greater appreciation for the realities of Test rugby. Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield echoed these sentiments, drawing a parallel with England’s football team, which also faces heavy scrutiny despite securing wins. Sinfield stressed that while the ideal scenario would be winning in an attractive fashion, the priority remains results.
Genge also commented on the contrast in public perception compared to other teams. He pointed out that Wales received praise for their performance against Ireland despite losing, whereas England’s narrow win led to negative headlines. He believes this reflects an unrealistic expectation placed on England compared to other nations.
Looking ahead, England’s next fixture against Italy comes with added pressure. Although historically dominant against the Azzurri, Genge acknowledged Italy’s recent progress, including victories over Wales. He dismissed the notion that they are an easy opponent, emphasizing their competitiveness in recent tournaments.
Ultimately, Genge remains focused on winning and moving forward, even if public opinion remains divided on England’s performances.
