Why England will keep kicking regardless of what fans think

‘Kick’ has become a four-letter word to England fans once more after a pragmatic, kick-heavy style that was tolerated during a 12-match winning streak has become problematic following three straight defeats.

“'Kick' has become a four-letter word to England fans once more”

BBC

Complaints about tactics featured prominently after their latest setback against Italy last weekend.

BBC

England have kicked more than other teams in this Six Nations, averaging 30.75 kicks per match — only one more than Italy, Ireland and France.

Scotland, at 23.25, represent a dramatic difference in strategy.

BBC

The approach traces back to head coach Steve Borthwick's Leicester tactics and still sees England kicking at a volume few others match.

Against Italy England kicked 38 times in open play, with starting scrum-half Ben Spencer putting up 14 box-kicks and Jack van Poortvliet adding five after coming on.

“'Kick' has become a four-letter word to England fans once more”

BBC

That lack of variety and the time taken to set up a box-kick makes them stick in the mind, but the tactic often worked — of 12 box-kicks put up outside the England 22m eight were successful.

England were best at regaining kicks in the fourth round and an aerial play from Fin Smith led to a try for Tom Roebuck.

England produced errors and failed to convert field position into points: Fin Smith’s early kick was nearly charged down by Lorenzo Cannone, Seb Atkinson had a kick blocked while in good position, and Smith later put a flat kick out on the full.

Italy capitalised when Paolo Garbisi found Monty Ioane to help set up Leonardo Marin’s decisive late try.

BBC

More broadly England have struggled to break defences: they had 53% possession against Scotland but only six line breaks to Scotland's 14 and beat 15 defenders to Scotland's 23.

They had 52% against Ireland, did 18 kicks in open play to Ireland's 31, conceded 14 turnovers, have been turned over the joint-most of any team, and only Italy have averaged fewer points per entry into the opposition 22m.

Borthwick denied any need for a "major overhaul" and France should expect more of the same.