Mike Tindall tears into ‘best friends’ as Joe Marler wades in | Rugby | Sport
Mike Tindall didn’t hold back as he discussed some of his fellow 2003 heroes (Image: The Good, The Bad & The Rugby)
Mike Tindall launched into an expletive-laden tirade at some of his World Cup-winning teammates as he defended the current England squad. England finished fifth in the Six Nations following a 48-46 loss to France in Paris last weekend, with their triumph over Wales in round one their sole victory in the tournament.
It has left head coach Steve Borthwick battling to keep his job, with the RFU initiating an inquiry into the dismal campaign. Tindall, alongside former England forward Joe Marler, has been analysing England’s abysmal showing on their The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast. Host Alex Payne raised the subject of a visit by a contingent of 2003 heroes to the squad following the losses to Scotland and Ireland.
The likes of Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Ben Kay, Phil Vickery and Jason Leonard spent time with the squad, venturing out for a curry. The Times has since reported that some of the legends believed it was a “bad environment” and expressed concerns about the squad’s reserved demeanour, lack of critical thinking and insufficient knowledge of their opponents.
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Members of the group were reportedly taken aback by the current players’ response when a World Cup winner urged the squad to dedicate their lives to the sport for the next 18 months in preparation for the World Cup in Australia. It was implied that the players had never been addressed in such a manner before.
Tindall responded strongly to these assertions, retorting: “Outside of one person, not one of them has ever f****** coached, so what the f*** do they know?
Lawrence Dallaglio was among the ex-players to visit the England squad during the Six Nations (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)
“Like, they’re all my best friends, but not one of them has coached. Ben Kay, you could say he’s like a coach because he’s watching so many f****** games [as an RFU non-executive director].
“But Johnno’s [Johnson, who coached England to the Six Nations title in 2011] the only one who’s been in Steve’s position right now. A good figurehead; has had a coaching [career].
“Will Greenwood, [coach at] Maidenhead, well done! But does watch a lot of games as well. Lol [Dallaglio], never coached, never looked like coaching.”
Joe Marler also defended the current England squad (Image: The Good, The Bad & The Rugby)
Marler then chimed in, contending that players must be handled differently now compared to a decade or two ago. He said: “It’s a different kettle of fish now. The youngsters, the generation coming through, you have to treat them differently, you have to talk to them differently.”
Borthwick’s tenure as England coach will depend on the RFU’s yearly Six Nations review. The procedure is anticipated to span several weeks, with players, Borthwick, 46, himself, and support staff asked for their perspectives.
Although England were narrowly defeated in the tournament’s finale at the Stade de France, it was a spirited display brimming with purpose and offensive ambition that may have helped Borthwick’s case.
