17 October 2023 , 07:14
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Ellis Genge says “everyone” wants England to lose and that has him fired up to get the country into the World Cup final.
Steve Borthwick’s unlikely lads decamped for Paris on Monday in spiky mood after victory over Fiji earned them a semi-final against holders South Africa.
A tone set by the head coach rounding on critics of his side after they became Europe’s last team standing, was amplified by Genge on the way out of Marseille.
Asked whether the squad preferred to embrace the outside noise or draw from within, the Bristol prop said he thought it was probably half and half.
“I quite like the noise and having our backs up against the wall, with everyone wanting us to lose,” he added. “That probably fuels me a bit. Others are probably better off blocking it out.”
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Pushed as to whether he really believed everybody wants England to lose, Genge replied: “That’s what I said, yeah.”
Steve Borthwick rounded on critics after England's win over Fiji (Getty Images)It is undeniable this siege mentality is working, contrived or otherwise. England came to France on the back of six losses in nine. Five games later they are the tournament’s only unbeaten side.
Genge is quick to credit the influence of England’s cap centurions Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes and Dan Cole, albeit as a pretext to another contentious claim.
“Right now they are probably the villains because everyone hates on them,” he said. “Faz, he gets a lot of grief, but you are happy to have him in the team every single time.”
England hope Marcus Smith will be available for selection after he was left with a fat lip in this head collision (PA)Farrell unquestionably divides opinion - witness the boos in the stadium when his name was announced - and England have every right to be both bewildered and angry at the treatment of their leader.
It became clear yesterday that this is the root cause of their grievance, as attack coach Richard Wigglesworth was happy to point out.
“As ever, tallest trees catch the most wind,” Farrell’s former half-back partner began. “And he seems to catch a fair bit of it.
'As ever, tallest trees catch the most wind. And Owen seems to catch a fair bit of it' (PA)“He is proven time and time and time again and I don’t understand why in England we feel the need to not celebrate that, not enjoy it, just because he is not sat in front of social media or media lapping all that up.
“He is incredibly serious about his career, he is an incredibly proud Englishman, he affects any team he is in and he was brilliant for us, as we knew he would be.
“That was the maddening part of any noise – we knew what was coming [from him].”
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Farrell drops goal that beat Fiji and sent England to Paris for a semi-final against South Africa (AFP via Getty Images)Farrell’s own response was typical of the man. While others fretted he converted any irritation into fuel and used it to win another match for his country.
"I still think Owen won’t get the recognition he properly deserves until he stops playing, which I find incredible," said scrum-half Danny Care.
“I’ve played with him for 10 to 12 years now and his levels never dip, both on the field and off the pitch. To have him out there you feel safe. You’re in safe hands."