The Owen Farrell red card and the late-game England comeback dominated the commentary coming out of last Saturday’s Summer Nations Series match versus Wales at Twickenham. However, it didn’t go unnoticed the goading behaviour of some English players whenever their team won a penalty or a turnover.
It’s a carry-on that was debated on social media and ex-England coach Clive Woodward has now waded into the fuss, demanding that current head coach Steve Borthwick get a grip on this type of celebration, branding it an ugly look just weeks out from the start of the Rugby World Cup with the September 9 clash versus Argentina in Marseille.
Woodward has a reputation for never pulling his punches in his Sportsmail columns and his latest contribution had last weekend’s on-pitch behaviours in the crosshairs. “I absolutely hate the incessant celebrating by England’s players each time the team win a penalty,” he began, jumping straight into the topic.
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“It’s awful and has to stop. I could never, ever imagine coaching a side that did that because it does not reflect well at all on those involved, including the head coach. As England’s boss, Steve Borthwick has to get a handle on it now because it is not a good look for the national side.
“The celebrating, which sees all the players needlessly going absolutely nuts, is symptomatic of wider problems. When England win a penalty or a turnover, their players all come together and celebrate as if they have just won the World Cup. They aren’t the only team to do this, by the way.
“Sometimes, England even do it when a member of the opposition makes a mistake. I’m not a fan of that either. We saw countless examples of these penalty celebrations in the win over Wales on Saturday. Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Ben Earl were at the fore for most of them.”
What especially riled Woodward was that the celebrations neutered the potential for England to quickly restart play and take advantage of a defence not being set or back three players being out of position.
“There are so many immediate attacking opportunities and none of these options are available to England because everyone is gathered around the ball celebrating like it’s a birthday party! Not only does this stop the game dead, it doesn’t help the spectacle,” he continued.
“It also looks particularly childish. Once England are done celebrating, all they can do is kick to touch, go for goal, or opt for a scrum. Playing quickly is off the menu.
“England’s players would probably say their celebrating is a way of motivating and congratulating their teammates and a pressure release in what is an intense environment. What utter nonsense. If you need to gee up players who are representing England, then they should not be on the field in the first place.”
Woodward took issue with one particular example. “There was one incident in the win over Wales where England won a scrum penalty after an opposition knock-on. Itoje pumps the air like he is dancing in a nightclub. Earl and Jack Willis celebrate individually then hug each other!
“Max Malins, who wasn’t involved in the play, comes in from the wing to give everyone a tap and join the party. Why? Malins should be staying out wide, ready to attack or be part of the next phase.
“I don’t personally know anybody in rugby who approves of teams doing this. It’s complete rubbish. I can’t see a single reason why it’s a positive.”
- Click here to read the full Clive Woodward Sportsmail column
