George rejects the rift story
Two days before England host Australia, Jamie George has gone on the record to say the story simply isn’t true. The England hooker told Sky Sports News that the squad is “massively behind” Steve Borthwick, and that the players were hurt when The Times reported a breakdown in trust between the camp and its head coach.
The paper claimed some players lost faith in Borthwick over a summer tour that included a 45-21 defeat to world champions South Africa and a laboured win over Argentina. It also alleged a training-ground bust-up with Ellis Genge, and that players wanted RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney to hear their complaints. Sweeney publicly backed the coach earlier this week.
George, 36, led the side in July with Maro Itoje rested. He called the timing “shocking” and described the report as an attempt to divide the group days before a Test. He says the effect will be the opposite.
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How the squad dealt with it
George said he spoke to captain Itoje on Thursday night and the issue was put on the table in a team meeting. Itoje addressed the room first, then George Ford. In George’s telling, the matter is now closed, and the group has decided the best way to protect Borthwick is a strong performance on Sunday afternoon. He also pointed out that England run a review after every tour and campaign, and another is due in six weeks.
Selection offers a few talking points. Fin Baxter starts at loosehead prop after only two games back from ten months out with a foot injury, and George was lavish about the 24-year-old’s game sense. Fin Smith starts at fly-half, with George Furbank at full-back and Ben Curry at openside.
What comes next
Kick-off against Australia is at 3.10pm UK time on Sunday. England then face Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November, before the Nations Championship finals weekend from 27 to 29 November. A flat showing against the Wallabies would keep the rift story alive, which gives the match more weight than an opening autumn fixture normally carries.
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