Matt Dawson: England Shows Promise, But Strategic Adjustments Are Needed

England experienced their fifth consecutive defeat, losing 29-20 to South Africa at Allianz Stadium. In his BBC Sport column, World Cup winner Matt Dawson argued that England’s effort and playing style should not be criticized despite this latest loss. Dawson suggested that South Africa holds a slight advantage over England. He noted that while England started strongly in Saturday’s 29-20 defeat, the Springboks elevated their game when needed, with their bench proving significantly superior across both forwards and backs. England’s substitutes, conversely, failed to provide control, increase tempo, or secure the game’s conclusion. England seemed to be constantly chasing, lacking direction in the final 20 minutes. Dawson admitted he never felt England could win, but acknowledged they created good positions and opportunities to stay competitive, suggesting that with a stroke of luck, such as an opponent being sin-binned or a kick charged down, the outcome might have differed. Consequently, Dawson expressed reluctance to question the current England squad and coaching staff, citing their strong play. He contrasted this with his experience watching England under Eddie Jones, which he described as “awful to watch” and made attending Twickenham unenjoyable. Head coach Steve Borthwick, Dawson believes, has found a positive dynamic within the team. He observed that Borthwick, based on their shared playing history, is neither a “maverick” nor a “charismatic leader,” but maintained this does not prevent him from being a highly effective coach. Borthwick, Dawson proposed, must understand his own identity and contribution to the team. He pondered whether Borthwick should bring in a more charismatic coach, drawing parallels with France, where head coach Fabien Galthie, described as “stern and aloof,” is balanced by “characters” like Raphael Ibanez and Shaun Edwards in the backroom staff. Andy Farrell’s roles with Ireland under Joe Schmidt and with the British and Irish Lions under Warren Gatland, before becoming Ireland’s head coach, were cited as another example. Dawson stated that a loss for England against Japan would place Borthwick under immense pressure. However, Dawson currently believes Borthwick is not under such pressure, as fans appreciate the team’s rugby and connect with them. He suggested that with minor adjustments, some favorable luck, and momentum from victories, Allianz Stadium could become a formidable venue for opposing teams. While acknowledging that former England coach Jones will be motivated to challenge England with his Japan team, Dawson asserted that England’s motivation would be tenfold. England’s players, Dawson noted, now enjoy their current style of play, contrasting it with the “tedious strategy and regime” implemented by Jones. He anticipated England would be eager to decisively defeat Jones’s team. Dawson emphasized that Steve Borthwick must recognize the need for changes, whether in player selection, bench composition, team communication, or by granting players more autonomy in crucial moments. He observed that players’ performances differ from their club play. South Africa consistently scored points, culminating in a moment of individual brilliance from Cheslin Kolbe. England possesses considerable talent, with Ollie Sleightholme highlighted for his season-long performance of evading defenders and scoring tries for Northampton. Dawson questioned Sleightholme’s coaching and mental approach within the England team. He asked about the players’ desire to assert dominance in the match. Dawson pondered whether players prioritize securing their spot for the following week or taking risks to create impactful plays, similar to Kolbe’s two tries. He also questioned the repeated early substitution of captain Jamie George in the second half. Dawson recalled his own experience captaining England against Italy in 2000 when head coach Sir Clive Woodward substituted him. He recounted telling Woodward, “you have asked me to be captain, please don’t do that again.” Dawson argued that if George is tasked with leading the team all week in preparation for facing the world champions, discussions would center on remaining in the game until the final 15 minutes. Dawson questioned how George could effectively lead on the field if he is substituted with 30 minutes remaining. While acknowledging the physical demands of playing 80 minutes in the front row, he asserted the value of retaining influential players, even if they are not at peak physical condition. He explained that such players contribute mentally and strategically through their rapport with the referee, their team, and their understanding of the game. Although Luke Cowan-Dickie performed well after coming on, Dawson suggested that sometimes it’s more beneficial to keep a player on the field to finish the game, rather than relying solely on statistics that might indicate physical fatigue. Dawson noted George’s repeated reference to “fine margins,” stating that to compete among the world’s top four or five teams, one must grasp these margins. He emphasized the need to comprehend these “fine margins” during a game against elite opponents in front of a large crowd, and to identify crucial moments. This involves leveraging existing expertise and skills, rather than succumbing to pressure, to demonstrate capability to oneself, the team, and the nation. Dawson suggested this understanding often occurs off-field, such as during half-time discussions or post-game analysis where players reflect on what “we should have done this or done that.” He concluded that the world’s leading teams possess the capacity to adapt and make critical “fine-margin” decisions during the intensity of a match, citing Australia’s tactical shift against England as an example. Dawson observed that South Africa seemed to receive a significant boost in the first half on Saturday. Despite their continued untidiness and penalty concessions, they demonstrated superior execution in crucial moments of possession, consistently gaining significant ground in English territory when clearing their lines or kicking for touch, in contrast to England’s more cautious approach. While England displayed considerable effort in defence, Ben Earl missed a crucial tackle on Damian de Allende, and their backline appeared disorganized. These, Dawson noted, are the minor details that elite teams typically execute correctly.