England must be ruthless against Wales – a blueprint for the future

Given the context, England must take the front foot in Cardiff – let that be their modus operandi.

Tommy Freeman has become a key player for England. Photograph: Dan Mullan/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty Images.

Play the Match, Not the Occasion

Enjoy the theatre—the dramatics, the pyrotechnics, the hostility—if that fuels you. But when you step onto the pitch, focus solely on the game. If there’s one message England’s players should have drilled into them this week, it’s exactly that.

Sport rarely unfolds as expected. If it did, the Principality Stadium wouldn’t be sold out on Saturday. There wouldn’t be a growing belief among Wales fans that this could be the day their losing streak ends. Nor would there be nervous tension among England supporters heading to Cardiff. This unpredictability is why we love sport. But if England can block out the noise and play the match, not the occasion, they have the talent to dispatch Wales convincingly.

What makes England’s challenge even more intriguing is their need for a four-try bonus point. Publicly, players may talk about respecting Wales and acknowledge that winning in Cardiff is tough enough. But behind closed doors, they know that securing maximum points could be crucial for their title hopes.

This approach is driven by circumstances rather than philosophy, but England have the firepower. They have players designed to score tries. If they can execute, start fast, silence the crowd, and play with the right mindset, this could become second nature. No more waiting until the final weekend of a tournament to attack from the outset—this should be England’s identity moving forward.

It’s time for England to commit to the attacking rugby Steve Borthwick has promised. Too often, they’ve thrived only when backed into a corner, when they have a point to prove. But clarity of purpose has brought out their best before—let’s see that from the first whistle today. With a long break before Borthwick can next pick a full-strength squad in the autumn, England must end this campaign with momentum, setting the tone for the next World Cup cycle.

To succeed, two things will be critical: ruthlessness and decision-making. Ireland’s failure to capitalize on early opportunities against France showed what happens when chances go begging. England cannot afford to be wasteful against Wales.

Decision-making isn’t just about kicking a first-minute penalty to the corner. It’s about leadership—Maro Itoje and his senior teammates reading the game’s flow, knowing when to take risks.

Last weekend showed how drastically a match can shift. France led Ireland 8-6 at halftime but ran out 42-27 winners. That underscores the importance of patience. Meanwhile, Wales’ 21-point second-half surge against Scotland proved that England must remain composed and prevent any late-game unraveling. Striking the right balance will be key, and it will come down to the on-field leaders making the right calls when it matters most.

Maro Itoje’s leadership will be crucial as England strive for four tries and a win. Photograph: Dan Mullan/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty Images.

England’s Bench Could Be the Difference

The impact of England’s bench will be crucial, with Tom Willis playing a key role in asserting physical dominance over Wales in the second half. It also explains the decision to include such an experienced fly-half as George Ford among the replacements. If there has been one significant shift since the autumn, it’s that England’s bench has transformed from a weakness into a strength—something they must fully capitalize on this Saturday.

I like the team selection. Tommy Freeman is a player I rate highly as a centre, based on his performances for Northampton. With only a six-day turnaround, it makes sense for Steve Borthwick to prioritize cohesion by selecting a 9-10-12-13 combination from the same club. Freeman has the physicality to thrive in midfield, but more importantly, he simply deserves to be on the pitch. He has become an integral part of this England side, with a remarkably low error rate. Many of his contributions go unnoticed—such as winning restarts against France, a pivotal moment in swinging momentum England’s way. It may not make highlight reels, but it’s invaluable.

One potential concern with Borthwick’s midfield selection is how England will move the ball wide, which explains the return of Marcus Smith at full-back. I feel for Ollie Sleightholme—he has done little wrong in an England shirt—but with Elliot Daly needing a place in the squad, someone had to make way.

That said, if England get caught up in the occasion, they could be in trouble. Matt Sherratt has instilled belief in Wales that they can compete for the full 80 minutes, making them even more dangerous. England have not scored four tries in a Six Nations match in Cardiff since 2001, adding to the magnitude of their task. But from a neutral perspective, that challenge only makes things more exciting. For the players, the message is simple: they cannot afford to hold back.