Rebooted and reborn: Maro shows the way as England shake off poor form

Rebooted and reborn: Maro Itoje shows the way as England shake off dismal Six Nations form at last and get back to their thrilling best

• Itoje changed the outcome of a pulsating Six Nations classic at Twickenham
• The Saracens lock crashed over from close range for a much-needed winner 
• Itoje provided a timely solution to salvage honour and hope from this campaign 

Maro Itoje changed the outcome of a pulsating Six Nations classic at Twickenham and in the process took a major step towards changing the unwanted reputation he has acquired.

With four minutes remaining in this thrilling encounter, England needed a match-winner and the Saracens lock obliged by crashing over from close range.

Having been a major part of the recurring disciplinary problem which so undermined England against Wales a fortnight earlier, he provided a timely solution to salvage honour and hope from this campaign.

Maro Itoje (left) changed the outcome of a pulsating Six Nations classic at Twickenham

The Saracens lock crashed over from close range for a much-needed winning try for England

A glorious match finished with a magnificent English victory, in the face of a French performance which evoked their heritage of ferocity and flair. Really, there were no losers. It was a game to reignite the sport in front of a huge TV audience.

But Itoje had the final say on the field, and then said his piece afterwards, too.

He was condemned for being the chief culprit — not for the first time — as England’s discipline unravelled, yet again, in the Welsh capital. For a man used to plaudits, it was an unfamiliar scenario but the upshot was a personal transformation.

This time, Itoje was measured and composed. He gave away one penalty and managed to retain more control, while imposing himself in trademark fashion.

His hope is that the way he played may help to ensure he is not pre-judged by officials as trouble.

Itoje provided a timely solution to salvage honour and hope from this campaign

‘There is outside noise saying that Maro Itoje gives away a lot of penalties,’ he said. ‘Everything has an influence. Things that people say and think affect how referees prepare for games.

‘At the moment, that’s the perception and I am working hard to try to change that. It’s only one game — I’ll have to do that on a consistent basis.

‘I want to still be as confrontational as I can. I don’t want to lose my key characteristics because if I do that, you might as well play somebody else.

‘I can still have moments in the game that I can influence, but it is a bit of a balancing act. I have to choose my moments, have an understanding of the context of the game, where we are on the field, adapting to what the referee is doing a bit better — a combination of all those things.

‘It is about making better decisions. I think I need to understand and read referees better.’

Asked what he had taken from the defeat in Cardiff, during which Itoje conceded five penalties in a damaging team tally of 14, he added: ‘First and foremost, I try to avoid losing as much as possible. Losing is not something I take too well.

‘Playing in that game and giving away what I gave away was not ideal. That’s why I had to work individually to put that right.’

Itoje insisted that the English effort against France did not represent a ‘gold standard’ but it was their best work since the World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand. The home side didn’t let Antoine Dupont’s second-minute try unsettle them, or panic when Damian Penaud rounded off a textbook French strike move just after the half-hour.

Itoje was measured and controlled as he gave away just one penalty against France

Itoje insisted that the English effort against France did not represent a ‘gold standard’

England responded in kind. There was rugby from the heavens until half-time. Eddie Jones’s side produced several devastating raids, especially in the lead-up to Anthony Watson’s 10th-minute try.

Billy Vunipola was restored to vintage rampaging mode and brother Mako was another who led the charge, while Tom Curry was relentlessly impressive, on the ball and off it — again. Calling him world-class no longer covers it.

With Ben Youngs sniping, George Ford pulling the strings shrewdly and Owen Farrell back in his authoritative stride, England had more of the fluency that was visible in patches in Cardiff.

Their sense of adventure struck a chord with the watching public. This, at long last, was smiles-on-faces stuff.

Sure, even this shiny gem could be given a polish. The penalty-count briefly spiralled in the third quarter before order was restored, and coach John Mitchell won’t take kindly to seeing his defence being toyed with on occasions by the free-running Dupont, Matthieu Jalibert and Teddy Thomas.

But these are deadly Gallic threats and they will cause huge problems for every nation on earth over the coming years.

The sorrow for England was that a fine victory against major rivals does not set them up for a shot at retaining the Six Nations trophy when they face Ireland in Dublin next weekend.

But what they did on Saturday still has significance.

‘This could be a springboard for us,’ said Billy Vunipola. ‘There’s huge disappointment with the fact that we’re going into next week without the title on the line, but today was a really good step forward.

‘We talked about wanting to be the greatest team in the world and this will give us confidence, knowing that we can mix it with the best teams out there and beat them.’ 

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS

ENGLAND: Malins 6 (Daly 62min, 7); Watson 8, Slade 7 (Lawrence 71), Farrell 7, May 7; Ford 8, Youngs 7 (Robson 75); M Vunipola 7 (Genge 62, 6), Cowan-Dickie 7 (George 71), Sinckler 7 (Stuart 71); Itoje 8, Ewels 7 (Hill 77); Wilson 8 (Earl 62, 6), B Vunipola 7, CURRY 9. Head coach: Eddie Jones 7.

FRANCE: Dulin 6; Thomas 7, Vakatawa 6, Fickou 8, Penaud 8; Jalibert 9, Dupont 8; Baille 6 (Gros 67), Marchand 7 (Chat 71), Haouas 6 (Aldegheri 58, 6); Taofifenua 7 (Cazeaux 58, 5), Willemse 7; Cretin 6 (Woki 71), Ollivon 6, Alldritt 6. Head coach: Fabien Galthie 6.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire) 8.

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