England defence coach Kevin Sinfield says Owen Farrell is determined to improve his tackle technique heading into the Six Nations.
New head coach Steve Borthwick made sure that the rugby league legend joined him in the national set-up when he replaced Eddie Jones last month.
One of his first big jobs will be improving discipline, which was labelled dreadful by many pundits during the Autumn Nations Series.c
He will also be working one-to-one with players, such as Farrell, following his recent ban.
“Owen fully accepts he needs to change and he’s willing to work incredibly hard at it. It’s something he must do.” said Sinfield
“Owen is desperate to improve and get better every day, as are Ellis and Courtney.”
Sinfield on high tackles
agree [with high tackles resulting in red cards] – quite rightly they are,” Sinfield said.
“Tackle height is something we worked on for a long long time at Leicester (where he and Borthwick previously coached).
“There is mitigation in some of these but ask anybody who worked with me at Leicester and they will understand that they’ve been coached to tackle low.
“The sooner we can educate, develop and work with younger players on tackle height, it makes the game safer for everybody. My first role as a coach is to provide as safe an environment as I can. That includes how we practise tackling.
“Everything is a balance. You run the risk if you tackle high of getting it wrong. I’d much rather we tackle low rather than a) somebody getting hurt or b) us losing somebody.”
Farrell confirmed as captain
Borthwick has confirmed Farrell as captain which means he starts every game with Lawes and Genge as vice captains.
Borthwick said: “I was informed by the England Rugby legal team that Owen would unequivocally be available for the first Six Nations match v Scotland.
Sir Clive Woodward selects England XV to ‘win the Six Nations’
The former England head coach is backing new head coach Steve Borthwick to get England on a roll by calling up the in-form Premiership stars.
“England can absolutely win the Six Nations and the World Cup. The more I think about it, the more excited I am about Steve Borthwick’s appointment as head coach,” wrote Woodward.
“I’m hugely excited for England’s first game with Scotland. Borthwick is in a good position to bring immediate improvement to the team because the pressure is off him and the only way is up after a disappointing last three years.
“Borthwick needs to nail down who he wants in his starting 15, but especially the key positions of 10, 12 and 13. He has to get the culture right.
“I’d like to see form Premiership players like Ollie Hassell-Collins and Ben Earl given a chance and bring a fresh, youthful vibrancy to the England set-up. Since the 2019 World Cup, Jones picked virtually the same players almost regardless of their club form.
“I think that will change under Borthwick and his selection for the Scotland game is an opportunity to really lay down a marker.”
Sir Clive Woodward England XV
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
- 11. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
Woodward wrote: “’”There are some serious speedsters in the Premiership and I don’t think Joe Cokanasiga, Jack Nowell and Jonny May are at the top of the pile.
“I’d love to see him pick from guys like Tommy Freeman, Adam Radwan, Cadan Murley and Ollie Hassell-Collins.”
CENTRES:
- 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
- 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
