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The England team has expressed their desire to reconnect with their fans and make an effort to engage with them by changing their routine and interacting with them off the team bus. The Rugby Football Union is also making efforts, such as pre-match pyrotechnics and a half-time show, to get the fans excited. However, the most effective way to win over the public is through a strong performance, like the one England displayed against Ireland on Saturday.

We can come up with all sorts of marketing tools but it comes down to an intent to play and a desire to entertain. This team became so easy to follow because they were so exciting to watch, regardless of the result. If England had kicked and clapped to a win there would have been a real sense of achievement but there would not have been excitement. If England had lost but played in the same way, they would have been an easier team to follow.

Unfortunately, there is no home game this Saturday to continue the excitement, despite their strong start and success with speed and precision. It was the ideal combination for victory.

For several years, I have not experienced such an atmosphere at Twickenham because England has not achieved a win like that against a strong opponent, and with such an aggressive style, since the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. I am not referring to the end of the game, as it is natural to get excited when your team scores the winning goal in the 80th minute. However, from the beginning to the end, there was a consistent level of involvement.

English football cannot regress, this must remain their guiding strategy for every game. What other proof do they require? A squad that executed a successful play style, an audience that was completely invested, and one of the most impressive outcomes they’ve had in a considerable stretch – all solidifies the need to continue moving in this direction.

There is not a single player I know who would not be excited about playing in a team with that sort of intent or a supporter who would not be excited about watching a team like that. You look at the fallout, the butterfly effect of this team winning in that style is massive. The amount of content that became shareable, the comments sections, people are engaged across social media, the numbers have been astronomical since the weekend. They are not just obsessed with the result, it is the style – it has to be the way forward.

The personnel and the age profile is something to be excited about, too. It is not like it was an awesome performance but from a group of players who are not going to be around to drive the team forward in the summer and next season. There are a few who will not be, but the vast majority are here for the foreseeable future.

There was not much pressure on England going into the match and, as history shows, that often leads to a good performance. The challenge now has to be to back it up in France on Saturday. I expect Steve Borthwick will pick an unchanged team, provided everyone is fit, and I just hope to see a similarly fast start and a similar sense of fluidity. I have analysed Ollie Lawrence’s try a number of times and it is so clear to see from the actions of Lawrence, Henry Slade, George Martin, George Furbank and Tommy Freeman that it did not happen by accident.

As they continue to discover their abilities, they will come to understand their capabilities. When one’s plan is limited, their potential is also limited. We have now witnessed the extent of their capabilities. Saturday marked the first day of England’s new appearance.

Source: theguardian.com