As the darkest season of professional rugby union in England drew to a close, one of Steve Borthwick’s first tasks as his World Cup training squad assembled on Sunday night was to address the four former London Irish players in his squad, just days after their club had gone administration and their jobs lost.
Henry Arundell, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Will Joseph and Tom Pearson all asked to be listed as London Irish players when they were announced in Borthwick’s initial 28-man training squad for this week’s camp at Pennyhill Park. It was testament to the rawness of their emotions at the sudden demise of their club, the third Premiership club to go under this season.
Their overriding feeling was of anxiety, not elation, at the start of a World Cup campaign that Borthwick hopes will eventually lift the nation and give rugby supporters a reason to believe in the game again.
But first, the England head coach felt there was no point ignoring the elephant in the room.
“I’ve spoken to those players over the last couple of weeks,” said Borthwick. “I’ve spoken to all of them a number of times and I met with them when we assembled in camp on Sunday night.
“We’re all saddened by the situation at London Irish. A great club and everybody is affected — the players, coaches, management, supporters.
“It’s certainly been a challenging time for them and they’ve been very up front and honest. There’s a high level of anxiety about the situation.
“When I spoke to them on Sunday I saw and listened to players that were thrilled to be in camp and looking forward to what is ahead of them. Right from Monday morning’s training they have just committed wholeheartedly to what we are trying to do.
“Nobody should have to think about the loss of their livelihoods, and their clubs — nobody should have to go through that. I am going to ask the players to come in, embrace this, jump into this and let’s enjoy what we do — work hard and enjoy it.”
It is likely to emerge as a dominant theme this summer as Borthwick attempts to shape a squad in his image after the Six Nations hospital pass he received in December following Eddie Jones’ dismissal so late in the World Cup cycle.
Much remains to be fixed to return English rugby back to a solid footing. The structure of the top two tiers of the club game, a new professional game agreement, explaining to DCMS how the multi-million pound loans of taxpayers’ money to prop up the game during Covid are going to be repaid are top of the list.
If Borthwick was seen by some as a safe pair of hands who would not rock the boat after the trials and tribulations of the Jones’ era, they are mistaken. He is passionate about his determination to restore England’s status as a world power and eager to effect change.
But for now, focus is on preparing his squad over the next three months to transform them into contenders for the Webb Ellis trophy.
“In terms of my conversations with the RFU, there are ongoing discussions between the RFU, PRL and all the other stakeholders within English rugby right now about the long term plan for English rugby,” Borthwick said. “I am regularly updated about the progress of those talks.
“From my point of view and I am sure you will understand this, my focus is on what is immediately in front of us, which is the preparation for this World Cup.”
Yet Borthwick concedes his England team also have a responsibility not only to bring the smile back to the faces of rugby supporters in the country — but to spread the gospel of rugby union.
“I do think the team has a responsibility,” he added. “It has a responsibility to all the England supporters in this country. I think this England rugby team is the most diverse team in English rugby history. This is a team of people who can reach out to such a wide following of English supporters. What we want to do as we build is ensure we go to France really well prepared and as I said I am excited about what this team can do, and the more time I spend with the players the more I am excited about.
“Training is currently tough without question, but it has got a purpose. We will challenge the players throughout but with clear purpose on what we are doing and I also think the best players enjoy that challenge.
“And there are clearly things that you do on the grass and off the grass where there is enjoyment. I say to players this should be the time of your lives. To be at the pinnacle of the sport is an incredibly exciting, enjoyable time. I want to make sure this preparation period has the details right so the players are prepared really well and improve.”
One player enjoying his rehabilitation programme is Billy Vunipola, who is now on course to be available to return to action ahead of the four World Cup warm-up matches following his knee injury in April. He is in pole position to be England’s starting No 8 in France. Borthwick added that Sam Simmonds had withdrawn from contention because of “personal circumstances.”
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