![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Lewis Ludlam has urged booing fans to keep the faith after admitting that England could have shown more enterprise in their 34-12 World Cup victory over Japan.<\/p>\n
Head coach Steve Borthwick declared it was job done as England took a stranglehold on Pool D through a bonus-point win, but after the 14-man rout of Argentina it felt like a backwards step had been taken on a messy evening at the Stade de Nice.<\/p>\n
Early in the third quarter supporters groaned when Alex Mitchell \u2013 a live-wire scrum-half whose instinct is to run \u2013 booted the ball dead and the jeering grew in volume when the kicking continued.<\/p>\n
England then ignited, defying the humidity-soaked conditions that made handling treacherous, to stage a thrilling all-out assault on Japan that was directed by George Ford and replacement full-back Marcus Smith.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/11\/30\/15\/GettyImages-1388382959%20copy.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/12\/01\/03\/GettyImages-1245251240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The gameplan was to grind down unorthodox opponents and then take them apart when they were out on their feet. In that sense it worked, but for lengthy periods it was also a hard watch that clearly alienated some fans.<\/p>\n
When asked for his message to supporters, Ludlam said: \u201cI just say stick with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a team that is learning every week and there are probably opportunities in there when we could have run that ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it was hard to see how greasy that ball was. It was humid in that stadium and a couple of times we tried to play and ended up straight back on our tryline.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge Ford is very good at putting us in the right areas and putting us in behind so that we have better opportunities to attack farther up the pitch. It\u2019s hard to get the fans excited about that and we understand, but we\u2019re building.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was probably not the performance we wanted \u2013 it was not a complete performance \u2013 but we are happy to get the win and the five points.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/Amazon_Prime.svg\")
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will take more opportunities and we want to be a better team next weekend and play in the right areas of the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the second successive weekend Ford was named man of the match as he single-mindedly executed England\u2019s gameplan, but his stellar form presents Borthwick with a conundrum.<\/p>\n
Owen Farrell returns from suspension against Chile on Saturday and while Ford will surely be rested for the showdown with Pool D\u2019s weakest opponents, Borthwick must decide who to start at fly-half in a tricky appointment with Samoa a week later.<\/p>\n
As England\u2019s captain and talisman Farrell demands selection, but his return would alter a winning team that has been well led by the indomitable Courtney Lawes.<\/p>\n
Borthwick\u2019s likely solution is to reunite Ford and Farrell in a playmaking axis against Samoa on October 7 with the Saracens ringmaster reacclimatising to Test rugby at 10 in Lille on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cOwen\u2019s always chomping at the bit to get involved whether he\u2019s banned or not. He\u2019s always there and always leading the team forward,\u201d Ludlam said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is massive that we have got him back. He\u2019s a massive leader for us. It\u2019s just brilliant adding to that competition at 10 which is so fierce at the moment.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/18\/12\/d14791819ceb96dc70a93d479c53f01cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1MDY0NzA2-2.73769368.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/18\/11\/0e102dcca1df38375f7a89ddfd50835fY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1MTE4ODIy-2.73771631.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/18\/10\/47467ecc8d069cf5af23507077953922Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1MTE1MTYx-2.73765688.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cOwen\u2019s a proper competitor. He\u2019s one of the most competitive blokes I have had the pleasure of playing with or against.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know he\u2019s going to fight to the end and lead the team in the right way. He\u2019s a massive character around the place and we are happy he\u2019s back from his ban now.\u201d<\/p>\n