On this month seven years ago, Eddie Jones began his stint as England’s head coach by selecting his first captain. The 2016 Six Nations championship was quickly approaching, but he thought the team he inherited required a new voice. He ultimately selected Dylan Hartley, ending Chris Robshaw’s 43-Test reign as captain.
It was intended to be a brilliant move. In addition to winning the Six Nations Grand Slam, England went on to win 18 consecutive Tests. England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup under Martin Johnson. Who had a winning rate of 87.17 percent (34 from 39 Tests).
By the time Hartley was forced to retire, he had amassed 25 victories out of 30 Tests as captain. A percentage that was only surpassed by Johnson.
Even Will Carling, who led England to 44 victories in 59 games throughout his tenure. As captain, was unable to achieve such exceptional results. Carling, however, was an intriguing example of a courageous captaincy decision that paid off.
Before Geoff Cooke selected the inexperienced Carling in 1988. England had attempted a few leaders without finding a lasting solution for various reasons. The remainder of history was essentially triumphant.
Who should be Borthwick’s captain?
This brings us to the dilemma Steve Borthwick and his colleagues face in the opening days of a monumental year. He must decide whether to continue with Owen Farrell. Return to the injury-prone Courtney Lawes, or take the less traveled route.
Who is the eccentric Ellis Genge? Who is Tom Curry? It had the appearance of a signature choice, made all the more fascinating by Saracens’ New Year’s Eve victory over Exeter.
Farrell had a great game despite playing in terrible conditions. He was also the master and commander of a Saracens team that ascended expertly above the wind and rain and knew just what they were doing.
Farrell should receive the No. 10 shirt when Borthwick picks his team to face Scotland on February 4 at Twickenham, given that Marcus Smith has been sidelined of late.
If he throws more devastating offloads like the one that led to Alex Lewington’s try for a bonus point, Scotland will have their hands full. The most intriguing image, however, was captured after Farrell lost a pass from his scrum half, Aled Davies.
Instead of apologizing, he rebuked Davies fiercely for tossing him the ball in the first place when there were better alternatives. In that short second, Farrell’s essence was revealed: he is a world-class competitor for whom his team’s success is more important than his feelings or the opinions of others.
Does this render him the ideal captain? The outstanding book by Sam Walker, The Captain Class, examines the bigger issue in depth. After attempting to measure the greatest sports teams that have ever been – ranging from football to ice hockey and basketball to cricket – Walker sought to determine what, if anything, these squads shared in common. Fascinatingly, he concluded that all of the ships had captains with broadly comparable traits.
Who is the eccentric Ellis Genge?
Extreme tenacity and focus in competition, aggressive play that tested the limits of the rules, a willingness to do thankless jobs in the background, a low-key and democratic communication style, the ability to motivate with passionate non-verbal displays, the courage to stand apart, and, finally, ironclad emotional control appeared to be the most important qualities.
In other words, the best captains were not necessarily celebrities or gifted orators. They were the ones who inspired people around them by continually setting standards and getting things done.
When measured against these parameters, Johnson and Hartley appear to be an almost ideal match. So, too, is Farrell to a considerable degree. Despite this, Farrell’s winning record stands at 63.16 percent after 24 victories in 38 Tests as England captain.
In comparison, Lawes’ success rate is 62.5% (five wins from eight Tests, including a series victory in Australia last summer), whereas Robshaw’s is 60.46 %. In conclusion, there is very little difference between them; the statistics just serve to enhance Hartley’s record.
Lecture on the intricacies of national captaincy
Borthwick is the last person who requires a lecture on the intricacies of national captaincy. During his tenure, a difficult period in England’s history, his win percentage was in the forties.
He understands better than anybody else how other circumstances, such as the quality of the available players and the relative strength of the competition, may undercut even the finest intentions and most astute leaders.
However, he is also an avid reader and an intelligent thinker. On the one hand, he will feel that Farrell’s passion and determination, when correctly channeled, ticks nearly every box.
On the other hand, with Lawes currently suffering from a muscle complaint, you expect he will give Genge, whom he placed as captain and greatly regarded while they were at Leicester, some thought. Since he went to Bristol, the Tigers have become a bit less unstoppable force and have gone on to win the Premiership.
What then should Borthwick do? He may be tempted to stick with Farrell and let Genge play freely in a World Cup tune-up match. But does this provide England with the necessary new impetus? As the adage goes, luck favors the courageous.
What if Farrell is reappointed and retains his position for another couple of seasons? His father, Andy, is the overwhelming favorite to coach the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2025.
Imagine that his son, with Johnny Sexton and Alun Wyn Jones nearing the end of their careers, is the leading candidate for the captaincy. It makes the next move of England all the more intriguing.
