The former England captain Will Carling has questioned the quality of the coaching within the national set-up and suggested it is holding the team back. Carling, who was part of England’s backroom staff under Eddie Jones, has also rejected complaints from squad members such as Ellis Genge that ex-players are “out of touch” after their criticism of last month’s win over Scotland.
Carling, who captained England from 1988 to 1996 and presided over one of the country’s most successful periods, says the players look restricted by a gameplan that prevents them from replicating the ability they show at club level. “You look at the calibre of the England coaching team and you have to question whether that’s the best we can put out there,” Carling said on Radio 4’s Today programme.
Related: The Breakdown | Ireland v France can live up to hype and seize rugby back from stattos
“Some of them are learning, some of them are very young and maybe lack the experience at Test level. Maybe that’s what we’re seeing impact on the players. Someone like Alex Mitchell has been outstanding [for Northampton] all season and yet we see him play in a very different way for England. We do have some talented players there’s no doubt. And maybe we’re seeing a slightly restricted version of them.”
Carling, who led England to 44 wins in his 59 Tests in charge, suggested that Genge’s dismissive reaction to concerns expressed by a number of former England internationals was wide of the mark. “I wouldn’t necessarily agree with him,” Carling said. “A lot of ex-players are hugely experienced and have a lot of knowledge.
“But I understand that when you’re a current player you’re highly sensitive. You’re trying as hard as you can to win games [and] they’ve had a tough run. Let’s be honest, we’re talking a tough run for three or four years now. That’s where players have to understand people will have opinions.
“I remember all these times we had some very ugly wins and you watch the reaction of the media and the fans. It is a bit frustrating but you have to take a deep breath and accept that’s part and parcel of it.”
The 59-year-old former centre was first recruited by Jones to be a squad mentor in 2018 at a time when the current head coach, Steve Borthwick, was on the coaching staff. Along with other ex-England stalwarts such as Will Greenwood and Ben Youngs, however, he was unimpressed by the manner of the performance against Scotland, despite the team’s 16-15 victory.
Carling subsequently described it as “very ugly” and believes supporters are entitled to ask questions about the side’s development before Sunday’s game against Italy. “I still think we’re way off the potential of this team and let’s just hope we start seeing that. There are definitely frustrations and that’s what the players probably sense from the fans and the media.”
With the Six Nations title still up for grabs, Carling backed France to upset the defending champions, Ireland, in Dublin on Saturday. “The French were unbelievably impressive against Italy. When they’re playing at their best they’re extraordinary. The England defeat still hurts them so I would go along with them at the weekend.”
