Ben Youngs Calls for England Rugby Midfield Shake-Up

In a candid reflection on England’s recent 45-21 defeat at the hands of South Africa, former England scrum-half Ben Youngs shared his insights on the tactical shifts needed for the team. Speaking on his podcast, "For The Love Of Rugby," Youngs dissected the match, emphasizing the stark differences in play that led to the Springboks' dominant start in their Nations Championship campaign.

The Springboks' opening salvo was a masterclass in rugby precision, quickly establishing a 17-0 lead within the first 12 minutes with tries from Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, and Kurt-Lee Arendse. "The Boks showed they are the number one team in the world," Youngs remarked. "They ran rampant for the first 15 minutes, and the game was pretty much done by that point."

"Surely, lads, you knew that this was coming in the first 10/15 minutes,"

Youngs expressed, frustrated by England's lack of response. He highlighted the South Africans' superior aerial game as a decisive factor. Despite not being the tallest, the Springbok wingers showcased exceptional aerial skills. "The South African wingers aren’t exactly blessed with height, but they have a dynamism and ability to leap in the air and make a contest, and that’s probably the massive difference in those back threes was the aerial skills," he explained.

England's kicking game also came under scrutiny, with Youngs pointing out a clear disconnect between the kickers and chasers. "I couldn’t work out what the kick strategy was," he said, suggesting a lack of coordination that rendered their aerial efforts ineffective.

Turning to team selection issues, Youngs advocated for strategic changes in the midfield, specifically the repositioning of Tommy Freeman to the wing and the reintroduction of Henry Slade to the midfield. "The idea of Tommy Freeman playing 13, it is possible, but he is equally our best winger," Youngs argued, underscoring the need to utilize players where they perform best. Slade, who stepped in following George Furbank’s emergency surgery for appendicitis, has been in exceptional form, evidenced by his leading role in Exeter Chiefs’ recent successful season.

As England looks to its next match against Fiji, the availability of Benhard Janse van Rensburg could provide additional options for the midfield. With the team's current dynamics and the insights shared by Youngs, adjustments seem not just advisable but necessary to enhance England’s competitive edge on the international stage.