England’s national rugby team players had to evacuate the field during their match against the USA due to lightning threats. The team, led by Steve Borthwick, faced this challenge while missing key members participating in the British & Irish Lions series. England was in the middle of their Americas tour following successful games against Argentina.
The game on Saturday marked England’s return to the USA after almost two decades, taking place at Audi Field in Washington DC. The kick-off was already delayed earlier due to adverse weather conditions, and during the first half with England leading 14-0, lightning caused another 40-minute stoppage.
Similar weather delays were witnessed recently during football’s Club World Cup in the USA, where teams like Chelsea and Benfica had to wait for nearly two hours due to adverse weather. Despite the interruptions, England managed to secure a dominant 40-5 victory, with captain George Ford converting four times and acknowledging the challenging conditions faced by the team.
Borthwick introduced new talents like Gabriel Oghre, Max Ojomoh, Joe Carpenter, Arthur Clark, Charlie Atkinson, and Oscar Beard, praising their performance under such adverse circumstances. The team’s head coach highlighted the resilience and adaptability shown by the young players during the game.
The England team’s winning streak now stands at seven consecutive victories, indicating a resurgence in confidence after a challenging period. They are gearing up to face strong opponents like Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina at Twickenham during the upcoming autumn internationals.
Reflecting on the unique match experience in the USA, Borthwick reminisced about the differences from their previous encounters, emphasizing the team’s growth and adaptability. The team’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by both the experienced and newer members of the squad.
