England win has fans dreaming again as Borthwick’s plans come together | Robert Kitson Emotional success against France captures imagination and showcases the charm and unpredictability of the Six Nations.
While Ireland’s win at Murrayfield underlined the fact this season’s Six Nations is far from done, home games against Scotland and Italy followed by a last-weekend trip to Cardiff to face a downcast Wales has morphed into a schedule with opportunity for England spraypainted all over it.
Add Smith M to that mix – a looming probability once George Furbank is back fit to strengthen further the Northampton connection in England’s backline – plus Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and the balance of the squad will, at last, correspond with the individual talent at Borthwick’s disposal.
Saturday was another classic example: just when France felt they might have restored some order they were unzipped by the deftest of English fingers, splendidly fashioned by Smith and finished by Elliot Daly, which has opened up all kinds of unexpected new title possibilities.
In parish churches across middle England you could almost hear the faithful renewing their vows as they murmured Twickenham’s revised Lord’s Prayer: “Give me this day our Daly bread.
