Maro Itoje Calls for England to Reveal True Character in Paris Showdown
England's rugby captain, Maro Itoje, has issued a rallying cry for his team to demonstrate their core character as they prepare for a decisive Guinness Six Nations clash against France in Paris. The match, scheduled for this Saturday, carries immense significance for England's standing in the tournament.
Historic Low Looms for England Squad
Should England suffer a defeat at the hands of the French side, they will be condemned to their worst Six Nations finish since 1987. That year, the team managed only a single victory throughout the championship. This potential outcome marks a stark contrast to their position just five weeks ago, when England were celebrating a twelfth consecutive Test victory and ambitiously plotting a path to the tournament decider.
The French team, led by Antoine Dupont, are heavy favourites to defend their crown and inflict further misery on their historic rivals. This sets the stage for a high-pressure encounter that Itoje believes transcends mere tactical execution.
Itoje's Focus on Intangible Qualities Over Tactics
"This game is not about 'oh, we want to kick here, we want to run here, we want to do this line-out move'," stated Itoje emphatically. "This game is about showing each other and showing our fans what we are really about, what we are truly about."
He framed the Paris fixture as a critical opportunity for the squad to prove its mettle. "This game is an opportunity for us to show the character of this team. And I genuinely believe this team is going somewhere. Unfortunately, as of late we haven't been able to put that consistently on the park."
Itoje suggested that such a high-stakes match might be precisely what the team requires. "Perhaps this opportunity is necessary for us to be the team we need to be, against a good quality French side, in their own backyard. We have the opportunity to go out there and give the very best of ourselves."
Broader Context and Coach Borthwick's Future
This final Six Nations match also serves as the last outing before head coach Steve Borthwick undergoes a post-tournament review conducted by the Rugby Football Union. The review will likely scrutinise his future with the team following a campaign that has fallen short of expectations.
Despite being widely written off ahead of the France game and their subsequent Nations Championship opener against world champions South Africa on July 4th, Itoje remains defiant. He pointed to past upsets as reason for optimism.
"When we played France last year they were heavy favourites," he recalled, referencing England's 26-25 victory. "We've played a number of teams in the past and won games where the other side has been the favourites."
He also highlighted the unpredictability of sport, noting, "I'm sure we were the favourites against Italy last weekend and I think a lot of people have lost a lot of money at Cheltenham betting on favourites. Being the favourite is neither here nor there."
Captain's Unwavering Belief in the Squad
Expressing steadfast confidence, Itoje acknowledged areas of strength despite recent losses. "There are core aspects of our game, despite the losses, that have been going reasonably well. We just need to bring the best of ourselves and I think we can do a job."
His belief in the team's trajectory and potential remains unshaken. "Despite the losses, how I feel at the moment hasn't actually changed since the start of the competition. I think this team is going somewhere and I'm desperate to be a part of it. This team can beat pretty much every team we play if we get ourselves right."
The stage is now set for a monumental character test for England in Paris, with history, pride, and future prospects all on the line.
