🔗 Share this article

Selecting your top starting XV for a big match contest appears more and more old-fashioned today, evoking thoughts of different times like classic TV shows. So much so where one might almost expect finding this home team lineup against the All Blacks this weekend printed in a reversed order. Despite the All Blacks visiting, this traditional way for picking players no longer applies.

Focus on the Final Stages

Instead, it's centered on how the match concludes. On this occasion, Steve Borthwick opted to selected six experienced players for the substitutes versus just a few in the starting lineup. At some point the second half point on Saturday, expect a mass substitution involving fresh talent joining play. As the Springboks' famous "impact substitutes" have demonstrated, such a approach is very tough to counter.

Potential Pitfall

But, there is one minor snag. While playing the world's top-tier sides, it's crucial to start well as well. Holding out until the arrival of key substitutes like Tom Curry or others might seem not so smart should the All Blacks take a significant advantage by halftime, like against the Scots last week.

Yet this is the modern approach for you. And not many are more expert on this topic compared to Borthwick, who spent multiple games as an unused bench in his career.

Past Examples

Among those matches, Borthwick mentioned this week, is a notable Test against the All Blacks abroad back in 2003, where the pack were reduced to six because of yellow cards. At that time, Borthwick and other substitutes remained on the sidelines throughout the 80 minutes.

Conversely, in Rome the previous year, the then-coach brought on four England captains after 56 minutes, strategy famously described like "an exceptionally strong bench ever."

Current Strategy

This team's substitute selection almost matches that for "Big Dog" vibes, as the team obviously hoping to catch the opposition during the last 20 minutes. "Each match we have played versus them has been close toward the end," the coach stated. "Therefore it's crucial the right players on to finish strongly... utilizing that level of know-how among substitutes is a key asset for the team."

Spectator Perspective

There will be those paying premium prices on seats at the stadium wondering whether a discount could be offered if matches currently largely depend around just 20-odd stages instead of the full match. Joking aside, though, there is a further subtly compelling explanation: that the coach's trust toward younger talents such as Joe Heyes has grown so strong so that the "best" starting team is not precisely as casual supporters might assume.

Selection Choices

If this qualifies Borthwick to be "an adventurous selector" is a topic he is minded to talk about – "I don't into tags... I aim to select the strongest team we possibly can to get the results" – yet England's ongoing streak of nine Test wins consecutively has reinforced his belief how international the sport has become increasingly a 23-man effort.

"In my view every player understands that it's a collective effort. The 36 players in camp assisting the team prepare all contribute. This type of selfless attitude has not always existed present with past squads. That was different during my time as a player."

Tough Decisions

Several difficult judgments have had to occur, even so, due to the absence of key players. Borthwick additionally notes that "blessed for choice" in key positions, so this time, it is Northampton's Fin Smith that misses out entirely. Considering the damp weather forecast, choosing an experienced player in the pivotal role is hardly a huge surprise, and ability of New Zealand's back three under kicks will likely face examined often.

Know-How plus Flexibility

Additionally, comes the added importance of seasoned players together with necessity to have a bench option that is able to slot into other positions, especially as another individual still fully fit. "It was possible to picked either of the available playmakers and explain here talking why each is the right player because I believe they're all excellent," he commented. "He provides composed leader and possesses the skill to bring the team as one driving the team onto the front foot. It's exactly what expecting him to do this weekend."

Final Thoughts

Can it all be enough? The team were defeated in all meetings by the All Blacks last year by a total margin of just 10 points, and regarding converting chances, the opposition remain highly effective ever. Given this scenario, there must be every chance of an intense contest that could boil down to the last stages. That's exactly what this approach is anticipating.