England WILL continue their attack-minded approach this summer... as Henry Slade praises 'more enjoyable way to play' under Steve Borthwick

Good news from the Far East, for England fans who savoured the tactical liberation during the Six Nations – the fast show will continue during this summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.

Having stumbled, blinking from the glare, into a sudden era of enlightenment, the national team have no wish to revert to the dark days of trying to get rid of the ball, or betraying a chronic shortage of imagination and accuracy when they did have it. For so long, the English public lamented a lack of ambition and clinical execution, or both – but 2024 has brought a welcome watershed.

Defeat against Scotland at Murrayfield midway through the annual championship prompted soul searching in the Red Rose camp and a profound shift in the national team's tactical approach. What followed was a pulsating victory over title favourites Ireland at Twickenham before a narrow loss in France which was notable for another outbreak of fluency and flair from Steve Borthwick's side.

Now, it seems there is no going back. England are determined that they won't retreat into their shells and default to a more pragmatic approach. It is impossible to exaggerate the significance of their strategic overhaul, as it marks a break with long-standing tradition.

So often during Eddie Jones's seven-year tenure, there was a commitment to substance over style. Public and pundits alike lamented turgid play and a regular failure to establish any cohesion and creativity, despite apparently having the individual talent to make that happen. Aside from some razzle-dazzle spells after the popular Australian, Scott Wisemantel, was brought in as attack coach, England would lean heavily on kicking and grafting and stifling.

There was initially more of the same under Borthwick, until a profound change of direction in March of this year, which was well received, as much by the players themselves as by those on the outside looking in. That much was apparent when Exeter centre Henry Slade – the longest-serving back in the squad out here – was asked to assess his Test career to date. 

The Devonian is blessed with a remarkable range of creative gifts, but at international level he has so rarely had a consistent opportunity to showcase them. In the course of winning 62 Test caps, he has not often had a proper platform to demonstrate his game-breaking class. It is an indictment of the system and structure that he has been forced to operate in for the best part of a decade, that his full repertoire has been witnessed on such an occasional basis.

There was a hint of regret when he said, candidly: 'I've had a great career for England, but there is probably a bit of frustration in terms of sometimes how we have played, how I've played and how many opportunities I've had to get on the ball. I do think, now, the way we've tried to progress is a much more enjoyable way to play. I can put myself in the game a lot more and feel a lot more excited each time coming into camp.'

It was a striking comment by the 31-year-old on the way England have tended to go about their work during his long period of national service. Slade did not seek to attribute blame, but it was a frank admission about the past limitations of the Red Rose game-plan, by one of those charged with trying to ignite the attack. He also spoke about the recent revolution and how it came about.

'After the Scotland game, we had a chat as coaches and players, and decided we needed to be more brave, call for the ball more and get it to the outside channels because we have such dangerous players out there and we want to get the ball in their hands more,' he said. 'The best way to do that is to play a more expansive game.

'It is definitely something we've worked on a lot. The last two games of the Six Nations went pretty well in that regard. We are trying to pick up where we left off and keep pushing it. Obviously, this is a Test match so you have to figure out the right way to win, but it is definitely an enjoyable team to be attacking in.'

It also became an enjoyable team to watch and at a time when the English game is urgently trying to enhance its profile, providing entertainment is not a factor to be dismissed as an irrelevance. If they keep playing as they did at the back end of the Six Nations, Borthwick's side will win more admirers and the way they are setting their stall out here should ensure a high-tempo contest on Saturday against Japan, who are renowned for pacy play.

Alongside Slade in the visitors' midfield will be Ollie Lawrence – and the Bath centre is equally hell-bent on picking up where England left off in Lyon three months ago. His first spell in Test rugby was a disheartening experience, as he was selected on the back of fine club form, only to barely receive a pass in a stuttering side, before being cast as a scapegoat and dropped again.

No wonder Lawrence is savouring the new, daring mood. 'The back line has some serious talent and we showed glimpses in the Six Nations of utilising that,' he said. 'We spoke about the Six Nations when we came into camp and we want to keep bringing that same intent to the way we play. That shift towards the back end of the Six Nations will definitely continue this summer. Hopefully we can take it up to another level.'