Here's a straightforward yet vital message for England: they should prioritize getting the ball into Arundell's hands early in their match against Wales.
There’s a palpable sense of optimism surrounding England’s prospects in the upcoming Six Nations. For the first time in several years, they are entering the tournament as one of the top favorites for the championship, bolstered by an impressive record of 11 consecutive victories (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/23/england-argentina-autumn-nations-series-rugby-union-match-report). Such a winning streak naturally raises expectations, but this team possesses the confidence and composure to handle the pressure that comes with it.
However, I would advise caution against anticipating another overwhelming victory, such as a 50-point win (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/15/wales-england-six-nations-rugby-union-match-report), when they face Wales on Saturday. The timing of this match couldn't be better for England—if their coach Steve Borthwick could choose the ideal schedule for his team, this would likely be it. While I do expect England to secure a victory over Wales and earn a bonus point, it's crucial to recognize that they typically don’t hit their stride right at the start of a new campaign (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/06/england-six-nations-setback-feyi-waboso-out-wales-rugby-union). The Professional Game Partnership has simplified some aspects of integrating players from various clubs, but challenges still remain. Consequently, we shouldn’t assume that England will perform at their highest level at Twickenham right away.
The fortunate aspect of this match-up is that England gets to kick off their campaign against a Welsh side currently struggling, having not won in their last 11 tournament outings and facing numerous off-field challenges. This scenario presents England with a perfect opportunity to unify their team before they head into a critical clash against Scotland at Murrayfield—this match could make or break England’s entire season. If they win, they’ll break their poor track record in Edinburgh and position themselves well for a shot at the title. Conversely, if they falter again, it would signify a repeat of past disappointments for Borthwick’s squad, making progress seem even harder to achieve.
Fans clearly have higher expectations, and rightly so. Yet, England seems to be acknowledging this pressure constructively. Borthwick has analyzed Wales’ likely strategies, specifically indicating that he anticipates a lot of kicking from them, which strikes me as reminiscent of strategies employed by renowned coach José Mourinho. This approach has impressed me, as England appears unafraid of the weight of expectation.
I can’t help but wonder, though, whether there’s a hint of preemptive excuse-making here, as I also expect England to adopt a kicking strategy during Saturday’s match. I truly appreciate the composition of the team, but with Fraser Dingwall positioned at inside-centre, Tommy Freeman at outside-centre, and Freddie Steward at full-back, Borthwick has opted not to include a second playmaker in the starting lineup. While Marcus Smith can fill that role once he comes off the bench, it’s essential for England to devise a way to ensure that someone like Henry Arundell receives the ball effectively.
I’m delighted to see Arundell given another chance in the starting lineup. I recently watched him play for Bath in their victory over Saracens (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/30/saracens-bath-prem-rugby-match-report) shortly after the autumn internationals. Sometimes we may take his remarkable attributes—speed, strength, and explosive skills—for granted, but he showcased these qualities brilliantly. He also demonstrated impressive aerial capabilities during direct contests with Noah Caluori, earning his opportunity in the starting team.
If Wales plans to kick frequently, it will likely be through their number 10, as they will want to limit opportunities for Steward. However, Arundell has clearly made significant improvements in this area of his game, so my advice to England is straightforward: involve him early in the match.
Like many teams, England faces its share of injury challenges. Although they currently possess sufficient depth to manage these setbacks, any further injuries in key positions could pose problems. Their scrum has dramatically improved since Borthwick took the helm, yet Tom Harrison has a tough task ahead to keep England operating smoothly in that department. Despite front-row absences, what I find commendable about Borthwick’s selection is that the bench remains potent. In fact, with Maro Itoje among the substitutes, it could even be argued that the bench has become more robust.
Henry Pollock finds himself once again on the bench, still awaiting his first start, which I anticipate will come against Italy later in the tournament. I’m sure there are observers questioning why he isn’t in the starting lineup. Pollock has the distinction of being a British & Irish Lion, whereas Guy Pepper does not, yet Borthwick has fostered an environment where each player understands their value and role within the team.
Having someone like Pollock, who is youthful and relatively inexperienced but brings tremendous energy to the squad, is invaluable. We all notice his enthusiasm from the sidelines while waiting to be called upon, but what often goes unseen is the positive influence he exerts on the team during training sessions throughout the week. This contribution should not be underestimated. It was against Wales last year that he made his debut for England and scored two tries after coming off the bench, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he replicates that success again this Saturday.
