“Is Bazball the route for English rugby?”

This was a question posed – but not answered – by Steve James in yesterday’s Times.

James was a prodigious run accumulator for Glamorgan but, when it comes to cricket writing, a bit of a bore. He is a bore as he tends to be limited in scope to himself, Glamorgan cricket and Wales.

So in this article – despite the title – he writes about Warren Gatland succeeding Wayne Pivac as Welsh coach.

There is an interesting analogy with Steve Borthwick coach of Leicester Tigers, namely that Pivac was a successful coach with Scarlets but could not go up a level.

Could the same apply to Borthwick ?

James does not tell us. So I will. I think he will find it a strain as he does not have the players.

England are not hard on the rails of France, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland – as Eddie Jones contends – but several lengths behind.

Ben Stokes has not just revolutionised Test cricket but all sport by putting entertainment at the head of the agenda.

Let’s be honest: England have been boring for years and when the Wallabies played mind games before the World Cup Final in 1991 by criticising England’s dull game, England fell into the trap of trying to play expansive rugby … and lost the Final.

Borthwick’s brief is to kick-start a World Cup campaign and for England to bow out creditably.

Standing at the easier side of the draw we might beat Argentina and Wales to reach the Final but, if that happens, it won’t be by throwing the ball about.