Folly of relying on Jonny to give England a leg up
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Predictably, the blame for the continued decline of England's rugby union world champions is being placed almost entirely at the feet of Charlie Hodgson.
Predictably, the blame for the continued decline of England's rugby union world champions is being placed almost entirely at the feet of Charlie Hodgson.
How convenient that such a scapegoat is so visible. No doubt, the injured demi-god Jonny Wilkinson would have place-kicked more accurately than his successor as the French fought their way back at Twickenham. But tactically would he have been as adroit as English rugby's public enemy No 1? Would he have shifted the play so artfully as England built a 17-6 half-time lead? Would he have produced the killer kick into the corner which gave England such promising field position with the French hanging on to their one-point lead? Such questions were lost in the post-game howls. They usually are.
Even so, it would be folly to believe that all will be well as soon as Jonny comes marching back. England need more than a mere good kicking leg if they are to climb back up the mountain. That was becoming evident even when World Cup victory was snatched so memorably from the jaws of advancing time. How quickly it is forgotten that England were being outplayed by the Welsh in the quarter-final before the old hand Mike Catt appeared. And who was it he was required to rescue? I could have sworn it was the great Jonny Wilkinson.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments