Six Nations: Why England will keep kicking against France in Paris

So why did England become synonymous with shoes?

Steve Borthwick’s tactics at Leicester, where he bowled hat-tricks on their way to the Premier League title, were also the starting point of his England stint as he tried to get up to speed quickly.

Even now, when England kick, they do so at a volume rivaled by few others.

After significantly less strong performances against Scotland and Ireland, Italy was one of those occasions. Against the Azzurri, England kicked 38 goals in open play.

In addition, many of these kicks were of the same type. Key half-half Ben Spencer took 14 kicks from the box, the most of any player in last weekend’s round of matches.

Jack van Poortvliet was able to provide five more goals after replacing Spencer in the 57th minute.

This lack of versatility, combined with the time it takes to set up the box kick, makes them stick out.

What may be difficult to remember is that this tactic has often worked.

England were the team best at recovering kicks, both in absolute number and percentage, in the fourth round.

In the first three minutes, Spencer had two penalty kicks chased down by Cadan Morley. The England winger took the first goal cleanly and slotted the second back to Joe Hayes. England advanced in their half with easy victories.

Of England’s 12 box kicks taken outside 22 metres, eight were successful, giving England ground and momentum or a set-piece.

England’s first try came from a similarly clever aerial play, with Finn Smith whipping in a precise cross-bomb to Tom Roebuck.

However, there were also mistakes and missed opportunities.

Finn Smith was fortunate that Lorenzo Canone’s 13th-minute kick did not lead to a try for Italy. In the 71st minute, from a fast ball, with excellent field position and Morley lurking wide, Seb Atkinson similarly slowed too long and had his kick blocked.

Soon after, with time running down, Smith made an ugly, full-court flat kick while looking for Roebuck on a low-percentage play.

They were all tricks with more moving parts and a higher risk of something going wrong.

Italy executed several of these attacks correctly, most notably when Paolo Garbisi passed winger Monte Ioani with a sideways push to help set up Leonardo Marin’s decisive late effort.

From the consistent base of box kick and chase, England made good profits.

Even more worrying than their kicking was how England struggled to make progress on defenses via other routes.

Against Scotland, they had 53% possession, but made fewer than half as many line breaks – six to Scotland’s 14 – and beat fewer defenders. [15 to 23].

Against Ireland, England had 52% possession and took almost half as many kicks as their opponents – 18 in open play to Ireland’s 31 – but they were robbed frequently, conceding 14 turnovers.

In fact, England have conceded the most of any team in this year’s Six Nations Championship.