So England are favourites for both the World Cup and the Six Nations Championship?
Yes and no. They're pretty chipper about winning when hosting the global tournament later this year, as fortress Twickenham will be impenetrable to mere rugby mortals, but more circumspect about the upcoming Six Nations.
Why the Six Nations jitters?
A few injury/suspension issues, but more pertinently their performances in the November Tests were underwhelming to the point where the trumpeting fanfare that greeted coach Stuart Lancaster signing a six-year contract extension had mutated, unfairly, into a raspberry- sounding parp by early December.
It’s not like England to be downbeat about their chances.
That's a little unfair, certainly in relation to most of the current generation of players and indeed their coach. The traditional sense of entitlement that drives the other competing nations to unite in an ABE sentiment (think last year's pulled BBC tongue-in- cheek ad for the Six Nations) is almost exclusively fuelled by the pomposity of one-fifth of a handful of the media and some of the Swing Low brigade.
Yes, speaking of which, what about Judah Sam Burgess, England’s potential lead charioteer? Surely he’s the man to guide England to the Promised Land?
Jeez, give him a chance. It's been a bit of a slow burn for the rugby league convert since his delayed start to the season with Bath. He's played both centre (predominantly) and flanker in his short time in union. It's not his fault that others choose to compare him to Sonny Bill Williams.
So he’s playing more like Georgie Burgess?
It's too early to judge. Let's just say that history is littered with those who struggled to make an impact when swapping codes, particularly playing the inside centre role in union. It's not that easy, no matter how brilliant a league player you are. Just ask current England defence coach Andy Farrell.
Is it fair to say that another young player who started in rugby league will be central to England’s hopes?
You're referring to George Ford, a son of former Ireland and England defence coach, and current Bath coach, Mike Ford. He's a very talented young man, with an all-court game, to mix sporting metaphors. He will give England more nuance in their attacking patterns while being a target – his size, not his courage – in defence.
So how will England fare?
Well they were the only team to beat Joe Schmidt’s Ireland in 2014. And if Lancaster can unravel the theory of creativity in the midfield, then England have most of the tools that will make them hard to beat. The first match up against Wales at the Millennium stadium is a massive momentum moment. Say that three times fast.
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