In the aftermath of England’s 20-9 loss to Wales in Cardiff, Steve Borthwick has offered a firm rebuke to Warren Gatland’s critique of the England Test team’s fitness levels.
Gatland, the home team’s coach, had casually commented, “Too fit for them,” while holding a post-match beer.
However, Borthwick, in a composed manner, swiftly defused Gatland’s provocative remark with only six words, asserting his focus on his own team rather than engaging in mind games.
Borthwick’s Clear Perspective on Team’s Fitness
When the discussion turned to England’s fitness status, the 43-year-old head coach, Borthwick, provided clarity regarding his team’s preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
With a little over four weeks remaining until the tournament’s commencement, England’s first match will be against an assertive Argentina in Marseille on September 9th.
The team has three warm-up Tests ahead to fine-tune their readiness, beginning with a rematch against Wales at Twickenham this Saturday.
“We are pretty clear on where we are at and where we need to be,” stated Borthwick.
“We are on track with where we need to be.”
England’s physical World Cup preparation is being guided by strength and conditioning expert Aled Walters, who previously collaborated with Borthwick during his successful tenure at Leicester.
Walters played a pivotal role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victory in 2019 and is expected to replicate that success with England.
Trust in Aled Walters and Team’s Progress
Borthwick expressed confidence in the tailored program designed by Aled Walters, citing his experience in optimizing a team’s performance for the global stage.
The England coach highlighted the specificity and direction of the program, emphasizing its alignment with the team’s needs.
Borthwick asserted, “We believe we’re on the right track for where we want to be right now.”
He remains undistracted by the activities and comments of other teams and solely concentrates on his own squad, which he believes is in a favorable position.
Billy Vunipola’s Return and Character
Ahead of the clash with Wales, Borthwick revealed that Billy Vunipola will start, marking his return from knee surgery.
Despite being left out of the Six Nations, Vunipola’s impressive form with Saracens earned him a spot in England’s World Cup squad, displacing a previous regular player.
The 30-year-old forward even apologized to Borthwick for a past incident of verbal abuse during a training camp four years ago, demonstrating his growth and maturity.
Reflecting on Vunipola’s progress, Borthwick remarked, “He’s the one who’s worked incredibly diligently to be in the position he’s in right now.”
The coach expressed his desire for all players to bring their strengths to the game and to be proactive in seeking opportunities.
Borthwick commended Vunipola’s character for publicly acknowledging and apologizing for his past actions, underscoring the significance of the forward’s presence within the squad.