Former England prop David Flatman isn't one to mince words when it comes to the current state of English rugby. After witnessing England's consecutive losses to Scotland and Ireland, Flatman delivered a mix of harsh truths and a bit of optimism ahead of the crucial Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome. The stakes are high as the team aims to mend its tattered reputation.
"They’ve looked physically knackered to me the last couple of weeks, and that I find strange. But I also wonder if it’s psychological," Flatman remarked on The Sports Agents podcast. This slump is a stark contrast to the form that saw England previously secure a 12-match winning streak before falling at Murrayfield.
The dip in performance has not only put the team under the microscope but also individual players who have faced their share of backlash from fans.
"George Ford was the king of the world three weeks ago, right? So, he’s not suddenly no good. He hasn’t had a great couple of weeks. I’m not sure what fly half could have played for England that looked great in the last two weeks, frankly,"
Flatman disclosed. He even shared an anecdote to put things into perspective, "My neighbour, Big Ron, was all 'George Ford’s got to go!' I told him, 'Mate, you had a poster of him on your wall two weeks ago. Chill out!'"
Despite the uproar, Flatman isn't advocating for a sweeping overhaul. "Lots of constituent parts haven’t worked for England, but I don’t buy into the drop everyone and pick fifteen different lads. I’d like a bit more beef, without being too old school," he explained. He pointed out that Maro Itoje, despite concerns about his match fitness, is likely to be selected due to his role as captain and a solid track record.
Flatman acknowledged that some players are indeed feeling the heat. "Pretty much everyone has been dropped at some point," he said, suggesting that while wholesale changes aren't the answer, the upcoming game in Rome could be a critical proving ground for those whose reputations are on the line.
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Former England prop David Flatman isn't one to mince words when it comes to the current state of English rugby. After witnessing England's consecutive losses to Scotland and Ireland, Flatman delivered a mix of harsh truths and a bit of optimism ahead of the crucial Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome. The stakes are high as the team aims to mend its tattered reputation.
"They’ve looked physically knackered to me the last couple of weeks, and that I find strange. But I also wonder if it’s psychological," Flatman remarked on The Sports Agents podcast. This slump is a stark contrast to the form that saw England previously secure a 12-match winning streak before falling at Murrayfield.
The dip in performance has not only put the team under the microscope but also individual players who have faced their share of backlash from fans.
"George Ford was the king of the world three weeks ago, right? So, he’s not suddenly no good. He hasn’t had a great couple of weeks. I’m not sure what fly half could have played for England that looked great in the last two weeks, frankly,"
Flatman disclosed. He even shared an anecdote to put things into perspective, "My neighbour, Big Ron, was all 'George Ford’s got to go!' I told him, 'Mate, you had a poster of him on your wall two weeks ago. Chill out!'"Despite the uproar, Flatman isn't advocating for a sweeping overhaul. "Lots of constituent parts haven’t worked for England, but I don’t buy into the drop everyone and pick fifteen different lads. I’d like a bit more beef, without being too old school," he explained. He pointed out that Maro Itoje, despite concerns about his match fitness, is likely to be selected due to his role as captain and a solid track record.
Flatman acknowledged that some players are indeed feeling the heat. "Pretty much everyone has been dropped at some point," he said, suggesting that while wholesale changes aren't the answer, the upcoming game in Rome could be a critical proving ground for those whose reputations are on the line.