England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, emphasized the importance of extracting valuable lessons from their hard-fought victory over Samoa as they gear up for the World Cup quarter-final.
Securing their path through the pool stages, England clinched victory with a late try by Danny Care, overcoming a deficit in the match held in Lille.
Despite having already secured the top spot in the group, Borthwick saw the 18-17 win as a timely and necessary challenge for his team, setting the stage for their forthcoming quarter-final clash.
Borthwick stated, “It was the kind of test we needed going into [the quarter-finals] next week. There will be a lot of learnings from it, and we will make sure we take them into next week.”
In the following sections, we will evaluate the performances of six players who may not have impressed against Samoa in Lille.
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#1. Manu Tuilagi
Telegraph 5/10: “Ruled route one but when decision-making and deftness were needed, the centre was found wanting. Defensively aimless, Lawrence might be a better foil to Ford-Farrell if England persevere.”
Telegraph 4.5/10: “Began like an express train, making two huge breaks and giving the assist for the Chessum try on nine minutes. It was as if the reinstatement of the old 10/12/13 combination last used from the start in March 2020 was a smart call but the reunited band then started hitting some very bum notes and an overwhelmed-looking Tuilagi was pulled on 58 minutes not long after Ford had also exited.”
#2. Jonny May
position for Samoa’s second try, leaving Steward to scramble in vain.”
Rugby Pass 4/10: “It was his break that scattered the Samoan defence on 18 minutes in the lead-up to the infringement that gave Farrell his points record, but that was about it for him on the ball and he will instead be remembered for ineffectively clinging onto a leg of the tr-scoring Ah-Wong minutes later. England need a hurry up in this position, with May not looking the part.”
RUCK 4/10: “We’re uncertain why he continues to be selected over the lightning-fast Henry Arundell, Seemed to spend the whole afternoon running sideways”