Rugby World Cup 2023 – Without shining, the English continue their flawless performance in this World Cup

A stone’s throw from the Allianz Riviera in Nice, in a charming hotel decorated in World Cup colors, you had to be completely zealous not to understand that England were playing a rugby match. In this modest-looking shelter which was full this weekend, dozens of subjects of His Majesty invaded the place on Sunday and replaced their Welsh friends seen the day before and heard most of the night. Sunday nap? Postponed until later. 5 p.m. tea? Forgotten, large pints that were too frothy and overpriced were much more popular.

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For a French person, what worse nightmare is there in this world other than seeing a gaggle of all-whites arrive, invigorated by their clear victory against Argentina and sweating with confidence? Selected pieces from the middle of this crowded room, wanting as best they could to see some images of the Australia – Fiji match on television: “You French people have two problems: your bad beer, and your excessive confidence. » “See you in the semi-finals. Do you remember 2007? » No need to tell you about the infectious laughter which led to these altogether pleasant discussions, the time has rather come to realize: England, its pride and what it represents is indeed back, and deep down, it is almost relieving as their crestfallen expressions had invaded the daily life of world rugby for several months. “I don’t dare think what would have happened if we had lost to Argentinashuddered Jonny May before this second match against Japan. We went from zeros to heroes in a week, and we don’t intend to become zeros again, but above all we gave our supporters a reason to encourage us. »

At the end of boredom

On the Nice lawn, no zero but the artistic note is not assured, English gentlemen. Unable to send the game to the outside, the teammates of Kyle Sinckler, who was making his return after his pectoral muscle injury, reproduced a carbon copy of their match against the South Americans. And if you thought last week’s game plan was influenced by Tom Curry’s red card, you are on the wrong track: England will play the same way throughout the World Cup. No offense to game lovers. In this characteristic style defined by a single word: boredom, the English dominated with forceps the Japanese samurai with much less sharp swords than in the last editions. George Ford, acclaimed when his name was announced, did what Steve Borthwick expected of him, including a lot of candles and kicking (… in total for the two teams!), with less success than against Argentina . It must be admitted that as soon as the men in black (tonight) decide to send the game to the outside, or to chain sequences together, things don’t go well. And it rings false. Except when the ball bounces off the head of the magnificent Joe Marler, or George Ford decides on a gem of a foot pass.

To beat Japan, that’s enough, but to go higher? Not sure. “In England’s two most successful World Cups, winning in 2003 and reaching the final in 2007, out of the eight matches against Tier 1 teams, how many tries were registered? Four. » Steve’s message Borthwick is clear, our Sunday evenings promise to be exquisite.