The England squad took part in a cookery school session during their training camp in York this week. Given all the ingredients to make a steak dinner, some followed the recipe carefully while others improvised. It’s a fitting metaphor for England’s attack in the Six Nations plenty of ingredients but still searching for a signature dish.
Despite repeated calls from the coaching staff for players to be brave with the ball and showcase their attacking talents, England’s performances have been at odds with their promises. Against Scotland, they kicked away 69% of their possession. Against France, they scraped by. The team has shown resilience and determination, winning in ugly fashion, but the need for a more dynamic attacking edge is evident.
England’s recent victories have been met with mixed reactions. While some praise their ability to grind out results, others question the effectiveness of their game plan. Criticism from former players has not been well received, but there is an understanding within the squad that improvements are needed. Captain Maro Itoje acknowledged the concerns, stating, “We only scored one try against Scotland, but that doesn’t mean our attack isn’t functioning. We want to improve, but we’re not starting from scratch.”
A year ago, England’s attack saw a turning point following a disappointing loss to Scotland. Players recognized the need for change, and the coaching staff shifted focus to refining their offensive approach. Richard Wigglesworth played a key role in this adjustment, urging the head coach to allocate more time to attacking drills. The result was a thrilling victory over Ireland and a strong showing against France.
In the months that followed, Marcus Smith was installed as the team’s fly-half, expected to orchestrate the attack. While his individual performances were impressive, results were inconsistent. After six consecutive defeats against top-tier teams, England’s struggles culminated in a loss to Ireland. The coaching staff responded by moving Smith to full-back and selecting Fin Smith at fly-half. Since then, England has recorded victories over France and Scotland, but their attacking rhythm remains a work in progress.
During their latest training camp in York, England revisited their attacking strategies. Marcus Smith, reportedly disappointed by his omission from the starting lineup, spent much of his time training with the replacements. His absence puts added pressure on the team to deliver a more exciting display against Italy. While England has never lost to the Azzurri, recent history suggests a need for greater attacking fluency. They haven’t won a Six Nations match by more than 10 points since facing Italy two years ago. Anything less than a convincing victory will invite further scrutiny.
The lack of attacking fluidity against Scotland remains a pressing question. While Scotland’s strong defensive effort played a role, England appeared more comfortable scrapping for control than imposing their style of play. This raises questions about whether the game plan is too rigid or if players should be given more freedom to rely on instinct.
Elliot Daly, making his first start at full-back in four years, offered a simple piece of advice: “The less you think, the better you are. The more you’re in the moment, the better.” At 32, Daly brings experience and underrated attacking qualities. His versatility and ability to read the game will be crucial against Italy. The backline also benefits from familiarity, with several players hailing from the same club, a factor that could help spark England’s attack.
Not long ago, Marcus Smith was seen as the face of England’s future, but now the spotlight is on Fin Smith. An attacking masterclass against Italy would strengthen his case, while another lackluster performance would only add to the concerns. England has all the ingredients, but now they must serve up a feast for their supporters at Twickenham.
