The electric atmosphere surrounding the Premiership Rugby semi-finals has left fans buzzing with excitement, as Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs prepare for a thrilling showdown in this year's final. The drama and skill on display have raised more than a few eyebrows – who could forget Northampton's blistering pace against Leicester Tigers or Bath's heart-stopping comeback bid against Exeter?
This weekend's eagerly anticipated final pits two of English rugby's brightest talents, Northampton and Exeter, in a clash that promises to be just as captivating. Henry Pollock, Greg Fisilau, Tommy Freeman, and the likes are readying themselves for battle, with their coaches – Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty at Northampton, Rob Baxter and Dave Walder at Exeter – leading by example. The question on everyone's lips is: what does this mean for England's future coaching set-up?
The World Cup beckons in 2024, and the Premiership semi-finals have left many convinced that Steve Borthwick should draw inspiration from these dynamic displays. Northampton's sixth try against Leicester was a masterclass in teamwork – Tom Pearson, Fraser Dingwall, George Furbank, and Archie McParland showed exactly what 'total rugby' looks like.
Some might argue that taking this approach to the international stage is fraught with danger, but the numbers don't lie. Teams that get too cautious, as Bath found out the hard way, risk being overrun. England hooker Jamie George has already acknowledged the shift in style, stating on the Love of Rugby podcast that they'd been "a bit too late" in adapting to these modern trends – a sentiment echoed in parts of their Six Nations campaign.
Northampton's Fin Smith gave some insight into his team's philosophy, stressing the importance of bravery over prudence. He said: "You can still go and play a certain style of rugby if you're brave enough. Just because it's a final doesn't mean you have to be cagey." With this mindset and an openness to mistakes that come with an expansive game, Borthwick's England might just find the blueprint they need for success against top-tier opponents – including a date with the Springboks in Johannesburg on July 4.
As it stands, the debate rages on: can England integrate this free-flowing, confident approach and move away from traditional forward dominance? The success of Northampton and Exeter suggests there's certainly a compelling blueprint to follow – but will Borthwick be brave enough to take the leap?