England’s fly-half Marcus Smith reacts to their defeat after the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on March 11, 2023. – France won the game 53-10. Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP
Jonny Wilkinson insists England will learn from painful thrashing
Jonny Wilkinson says England and Steve Borthwick will rebound from Twickenham humiliation at the hands of France.
England’s fly-half Marcus Smith reacts to their defeat after the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on March 11, 2023. – France won the game 53-10. Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP
France inflicted a record victory over a hapless England at Twickenham on Saturday but according to Jonny Wilkinson, it isn’t all doom and gloom for the Roses.
Wilkinson recalled his own experience of being handed a record defeat, which he experienced in 1998 on a tour to Australia.
Jonny Wilkinson backs Steve Borthwick
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England coach Steve Borthwick got the backing of Jonny Wilkinson on the Six Nations broadcast.
“It’s not a wrong turn and it’s not the end of the path,” Wilkinson told ITV.
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“That 1998 game for me, was a real cleansing opportunity. I was almost forced to change and in that change, I found a brand new possibility.
“It’s a massive humility check.”
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Woodward backs coach
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The coach of England’s only Rugby World Cup-winning squad Clive Woodward, also lended his backing to Borthwick.
“I think Steve has still got a lot of learning to do, but he’s a young coach and he just started his international career.”
He added: “It’s a sobering moment. No doubt about that. We [Woodward and Wilkinson] were both in Australia when we lost by 70-odd points but that was our second or third team.
“To actually see that in a Six Nations game, I never thought I’d see that scoreboard ever at Twickenham.”
A shellshocked Borthwick admitted that England have a lot of work to do with the World Cup in France looming.
“We’re incredibly disappointed,” said Borthwick.
“Immense credit to France – their power, pace and class showed. It shows where the gap is.
“No one is under any illusions about what we need to do,” said Borthwick. “We’ve been pretty up front about that throughout.”
Jonny Wilkinson feels that this can be the beginning of an England revival.
“It’s a huge learning experience and if there’s that desire and intention to push on, it will turn into something bigger and better.”
