England's Shock Transformation: What's Behind Their Incredible Growth?!

England's demolition of Wales – a whopping 48-7, seven-try statement – wasn't just a win, it was a vibe. At least, that's the feeling coming from rugby pundit and World Cup winner Matt Dawson. He reckons this Six Nations opener showed a real shift in England's mentality, even hinting at a touch of French flair creeping in. Sounds intriguing, right?

England's Shock Transformation: What's Behind Thei...

In his latest column for BBC Sport, Dawson wasn't shy with the praise. He singled out Tommy Freeman's performance at centre, drawing parallels between England's newfound tactical flexibility and, well, the famously unpredictable French. It's a bold comparison, but after that scoreline, you can see where he's coming from.

"There was a time, maybe a couple of years ago, when the England shirt used to weigh heavy on the players," Dawson observed. That's a powerful image, isn't it? The pressure, the expectation… it can cripple even the most talented athletes. "The pressure seemed to inhibit them. They were not expressing themselves. Everything was safety-first and a bit meek." But now? "They are enjoying their rugby. And we are enjoying watching them." A complete turnaround, it seems.

Of course, Dawson isn't getting carried away. He's a seasoned pro, and he knows that even a dominant victory has its flaws. He believes coach Steve Borthwick and the squad will be meticulously analyzing the game, hunting for areas to improve. That’s the mark of a good team, always striving for better.

Freeman, in particular, has really caught Dawson's eye. "Tommy Freeman is rapidly approaching world-class status," he declared. High praise indeed! "The package that he brings to Test rugby - the pace, size, aerial ability and appetite for the ball - is pretty special." It sounds like England might have a real star on their hands. The question now is, what's his best position? That's the puzzle Borthwick needs to solve.

Dawson acknowledges that Freeman is still relatively new to the centre position. It was only his third appearance there in 23 England caps. But, as Dawson points out, he was "pretty damn good against Wales," displaying intelligent running lines and a strong connection with Northampton teammate Fraser Dingwall. That kind of understanding can be invaluable in the heat of a match.

The emergence of multiple centre options – including Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, and Seb Atkinson – gives Borthwick some much-needed headaches. Good headaches, mind you! "It means England can mix and match according to the opposition," Dawson explains. "Do they want a punch in midfield or the ability to distribute quickly into wide channels? Gas around the outside or the ability to probe behind with kicks?" Having those options is a game-changer.

Dawson even looks to South Africa, the current World Cup holders, as an example. Their adaptable midfield is a key part of their success. Dawson believes that any ambitious team needs that same flexibility. While Henry Arundell's hat-trick may have stolen the spotlight, Dawson rightly points out that Borthwick will be drilling down on the finer points, especially Arundell's defensive work. Because ultimately, it's about more than just scoring tries. It's about the complete performance.