Coach says of need to adjust to refereeing interpretationsGenge calls timing of ‘hip-drop’ tackle law change ‘beserk’England’s head coach Steve Borthwick is urging his players to act smarter and recognise the vital importance of keeping 15 players on the field before a pivotal month for the national team. Borthwick’s side have been shown 14 yellow cards and one red in 2026 to date and, partly as a consequence, have lost five of their past seven Tests.Borthwick is also concerned that different refereeing interpretations in the domestic Prem are not helping England at international level, with the latest complication being a mid-season law change preventing so called “hip drop” tackles. His experienced prop Ellis Genge has called the timing of the alteration “berserk” but also fully accepts England must improve their disciplinary record in their autumn Nations Championship fixtures. Continue reading...
Borthwick urges England players to improve discipline at Nations Championship
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Guardian SportBy Robert Kitson
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Coach says of need to adjust to refereeing interpretations Genge calls timing of ‘hip-drop’ tackle law change ‘beserk’ England’s head coach Steve Borthwick is urging his players to act smarter and recognise the vital importance of keeping 15 players on the field before a pivotal month for the national team. Borthwick’s side have been shown 14 yellow cards and one red in 2026 to date and, partly as a consequence, have lost five of their past seven Tests. Borthwick is also concerned that different
Key Takeaways
- Borthwick urges England players to improve discipline at Nations Championship.
- Borthwick’s side have been shown 14 yellow cards and one red in 2026 to date and, partly as a consequence, have lost five of their past seven Tests.
- His experienced prop Ellis Genge has called the timing of the alteration “berserk” but also fully accepts England must improve their disciplinary record in their autumn Nations Championship fixtures.
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Published originally on Guardian Sport
