England and a 2024 season very far from their aspirations

After a great World Cup, reaching third position in France 2023, England He sought to maintain and improve his performance but ended up in third position in the Six Nations and could not define the duels against the great powers of the Southern Hemisphere in the July and November windows. The calendar year of rugby at the international level is over, in Scrum We review in depth a selection that will seek to obtain better results from the animators of the Ranking of world rugby in 2025.

SIX NATIONS

In the most important competition of their season, the rose reached third place, behind Ireland and Franceadding 14 units after obtaining three victories and suffering two falls.

He took his first step on February 3, visiting Italywhere he debuted as a coach Gonzalo Quesada. In front of a grocery store Olympic of Romethose led by Steve Borthwick They had to work a lot to overcome just enough (27-24) to the Azzurra. The second test would be before Welshwhich they also narrowly surpassed in a tough 16-14 in front of his audience, which for the first time filled the legendary Twickenham.

The third station was not easy at all, since Scotland stomped on Murrayfield and won the Calcutta Cup, after winning 30 to 21, marking the first loss in 2024. But the revenge would come two weeks later against the number one team in the Ranking of world rugby, Ireland. In a true battle, the homeowners were able to achieve a much celebrated 23-22 thanks to the aim of Marcus Smithauthor of the triumphant drop, which gave a touch of suspense to the definition of the contest.

The Rose needed a combination of results to win the crown, but could not overcome France in another excellent duel that ended in favor of Les Blues for 33-31 in Groupama Stadium of Lyon. This time the last blow fell to his rival, with the aim of Thomas Ramosending the contest with a bittersweet taste.

JUNE/JULY WINDOW

Those led by Borthwick They would go on tour in July, to first face Japan and then to New Zealand in a two-game series. The first obstacle would be on June 22 in front of an old acquaintance, since Eddie Jones commanded the Brave Blossomsfor whom they had no mercy whatsoever, since they beat him 52-17 in Tokyo.

The highlight of this stage would be the matches against the All Blacks. The first was on July 6, with an agonizing victory for the hosts by 16-15 in it Forsyth Barr Stadium of Dunedin. The rematch would be a week later in the Eden Park of Aucklandwhere once again those in black stomped and surpassed 24-17 to the Rose, culminating a negative series in terms of the result but with good feelings about the game captured.

NOVEMBER WINDOW

The last stretch of the season for the Europeans would be in the Autumn Nations Serieswhere they would face New Zealandagain, Australia, South Africa and Japanagain, to culminate in 2024. There were three defeats before the powers of the Southern Hemisphere and a victory against those led by Eddie Jones to end your calendar with a smile.

The third duel of the year against the All Blacksthe first on English soil, was another great game that once again ended up falling in favor of the visit. In another ending not suitable for the faint of heart, this time La Rosa had the victory in her possession, but George Fordwith a great performance in the World Cup thanks to his punch, failed twice so that those in black ended up celebrating the 24-22 in front of the silenced public Twickenham.

The next challenge was before the Wallabiesin what ended up being one of the best games of 2024. In a match full of emotions, with constant changes on the scoreboard, the visit had the last word with the conquest of Max Jorgensenwhich sentenced the second hard fall of November for the British by 42-37, before the incredulous supporters who once again filled the oval cathedral, Twickenham.

The last duel against the Southern powers would be against the world champions and of Rugby Championship, the Springboks. In another great battle, the coin fell for the South African side with the victory by 29-20.

After five defeats in a row against the three great powers of the rugby world, La Rosa ended the year with a rout against the Brave Blossoms (59-14), culminating in 2024 with more defeats (seven) what victories (five) in his 12 appearances, although these falls were against rivals of his level and with matches that were decided in the last minutes.