Henry Slade believes England have taken significant strides to fix their defensive frailties on the basis that “we know what we’re doing”, with the players adopting a more hands-on approach following a disappointing autumn. Slade is the first senior player to admit England had difficulties getting up to speed during a “rushed” transition to the defensive system employed by Joe El-Abd, who was parachuted into the setup for the November international series after the shock resignation of Felix Jones.
Jones had implemented an ultra‑aggressive blitz system when he took up the role of defence coach a year ago and it was blossoming by the summer, only for the Irishman to quit Steve Borthwick’s regime. During the autumn, England players seemed confused, some sticking by Jones’s principles in what the squad refer to as “the Hammer” while others appeared less committed to the all‑or‑nothing approach.
Since then, El-Abd has returned to Oyonnax as he continues his job‑share arrangement until the end of the season but he has been putting the squad through their paces at England’s training camp in Girona before their Six Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday. Slade believes there is “a lot more clarity” with the players taking a degree of ownership.
“There’s been a lot more emphasis on players also helping out with reviewing it and leading it as well, and I think that’s only helped us,” Slade said. “Joe has his own ideas and what he wants to do and there has been definite input from some of us as players in terms of how we do it as well.
