England players encouraged to speak out in another Steve Borthwick break from the previous era

Head coach Borthwick and right-hand man Sinfield have endeavored to present their England dropout with clarity, passion and loyalty.

During their first week of tryouts, the two head coaches gave players the platform to challenge decisions and shape the team’s progress.

Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam has hailed England’s new open set-up, which contrasts with the draconian peak in former boss Eddie Jones’ tenure.

“I feel like we’re being given the opportunity to really learn,” Ludlam said. “We are given the space to try things out, to express ourselves and also to ask questions.

“I think a big part of picking up messages very quickly is that we’re comfortable asking questions, because there’s no wrong question.

“So it was great to have that emotional connection with the England team, to have that level of detail and the level of comfort to go and ask questions and learn as well.”

Borthwick and Sinfield have prized loyalty to each other and their players in fierce conditions at Leicester, and are determined to transfer that close-knit approach to the Testing arena.

Ludlam revealed the England players had formed an immediate emotional bond with their new bosses, generating a buoyant mood ahead of the Six Nations kick off.

England host Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday February 4, with Ludlam insisting the Borthwick side will never lack heart and desire.

“When you have these two coaches who are both real honest guys, talking and saying they want a team that works for each other and fights for each other, that’s a really exciting thing,” Ludlam said.

“It’s something you really want to buy into and you can feel an emotional connection to invest in what they’re coaching and what the other boys want to do too.”