Andy Goode has it “on good authority” that it is an unhappy England camp under Steve Borthwick following their latest defeat.
The Englishmen were hammered 45-21 by the Springboks at the weekend in what was their fifth Test defeat in a row.
Before that, they succumbed to four successive losses in the Six Nations, which included a first-ever reversal at the hands of Italy, as they finished in fifth position.
Borthwick kept his job and was backed until the Rugby World Cup after an improved performance in the clash against France, but there were familiar failings in their Nations Championship opener.
Goode slams Steve Borthwick
And Goode did not hold back on England or their head coach when asked for his thoughts on The Rugby Pod.
“They were obviously listening to Steve before they came out, sent the boys to sleep didn’t he, and they were were asleep for 10 minutes,” the former Test fly-half said.
“Not unmotivated but I 100 per cent know that Steve Borthwick isn’t a motivator to that team and I know a lot of the guys don’t enjoy the environment.
“It’s a big statement to make but I have it on good authority. It’s a sterile environment where he’s a control freak.
“We’ve heard what Felix Jones has said around how he couldn’t talk to other players and that it was ‘stay in your lane Felix, you can’t do this’.
“Steve Borthwick isn’t an inspiring character as a head coach and England play in a manner that looks like Steve Borthwick.”
England did hit back after going 17-0 down early on, touching down twice to reduce the arrears at the interval, but the Springboks ran away with the game in the second period.
“We’re going to credit South Africa, England fought back well and there were some good parts to it, but you look at this England team and as an England fan, which I am, I’ve said it over and over and over again, you look at that team, there’s no clear identity on how we play,” Goode said.
“Scared is quite a strong word to say but some of the lads don’t look confident playing in an England jersey in the manner they’re asked to play.
“Rassie [Erasmus] said it before the game with Steve being a coach that coaches by trends and numbers, and that sort of stuff, and it’s uninspiring for an England fan.
“There’s a bit of grit and George Martin scores a try before half-time and we showed a bit of ‘see you next Tuesday’, but not enough.”
No identity
Northampton Saints won the PREM title in June and have a number of players in the 23, but England have certainly not replicated their expansive style.
The Red Rose also have a highly regarded attack coach in the form of Lee Blackett, but Goode does not believe that he has been given a license to implement his ideas.
“You look at the players and the talent we’ve got and you put them in the team, and sometimes they’ve got a straightjacket on. That sits on the coach’s shoulder,” he said.
“I look at Lee Blackett as a coach and I’ve said it loads of times, Lee Blackett isn’t a coach that wants his team to play in the manner that England play.
“Why have you got him there in the job? Because he’s the best at the time in the job. Are you allowing him to do his job? No you’re not.
“We don’t look like a team with an identity and it’s getting frustrating with the talent we’ve got.”
While there was some spirit shown by England in Johannesburg, Goode felt that they were fortunate to keep the margin of victory down to 24.
“I think South Africa could have won that game by more and we were lucky not to take 50 at the end. I think it’s a team that lacks an identity in how to attack and the game has moved on and England have not moved with it,” he added.
“When I say that, I mean Steve and his vision of the game.
“It’s been five Test defeats on the spin where it’s been dour. There was a bit of a spike against France when there was nothing on the line but it’s been poor and you can’t get away from that.”
