While the focus of the rugby world was on this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, Steve Borthwick’s England quietly continued their impressive progress elsewhere.
A fine 2-0 series win in Argentina – one achieved without their first-choice players who were with the Lions – and an expected hammering of the USA extended the national team’s winning run to seven matches.
It is not just about positive results, however.
England are not only winning, but at the same time also building significant strength in depth and playing an attractive brand of rugby too.
Here, Daily Mail Sport‘s Alex Bywater looks at what head coach Borthwick has learned this summer ahead of the team’s next challenge – the November Tests…
Steve Borthwick’s England quietly continued their impressive progress over the summer
A fine 2-0 series win in Argentina was achieved without players who were with the Lions
They then followed up with an expected hammering of the United States in Washington
Style of play…
When Borthwick guided Leicester to the Premiership title, in essence getting him the England job, the Tigers played a very pragmatic style of rugby. That continued in his early days at international level, especially at the 2023 World Cup.
But since then, Borthwick has proved his doubters wrong. England now play a fine brand and are very good to watch in attack, as was shown in Argentina. Don’t forget, Argentina beat the Lions in Dublin and were at full strength for the first Test before rotating for the second. Borthwick’s game plan is clear.
It’s simple and effective, to the point where it doesn’t seem to matter who plays. That bodes really well for the future.
Borthwick is proving his doubters wrong. England now play a fine brand and are good to watch
Back-row luxury…
England are building enviable strength in depth and no more is that true than in the back-row.
While the likes of Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Henry Pollock were on Lions duty, Ben Curry, Sam Underhill, Tom Willis and Guy Pepper all impressed against the Pumas.
Moving forward, Borthwick is considering a 6:2 bench split or even a 7:1 – a la Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa – as he realises he has so many brilliant loose forwards from which to choose. There is huge competition for places across the board which will only make England a better team.
Watch out for Bath’s Pepper, 22. He is a coming force.
There is enviable strength in depth in the back-row and Ben Curry starred against the Pumas
No 10 debate isn’t over…
Fin Smith took over from Marcus Smith as first-choice playmaker in the Six Nations and England went on to finish second behind France.
It seemed then that Fin Smith had taken control of the shirt. But there can be no doubt the autumn will begin with a conversation as to who should start at fly-half.
George Ford was simply masterful in Argentina, not only pulling the strings as a playmaker but also impressing in a leadership role. Then there is the return of Owen Farrell to consider too. England have four brilliant potential 10’s to pick from.
Over to you, Steve!
George Ford was simply masterful in Argentina, pulling the strings as a playmaker
Farrell still has something to offer…
Farrell’s late Lions call-up divided opinion. However, he showed more than enough in his time on that tour to prove he can still deliver at the highest level. After one disappointing season in France with Racing 92, Farrell is now back in English rugby with Saracens. He will be available to Borthwick this November, if he wants.
This is a big call. Farrell will be 34 by the time the autumn comes round, so you could make an argument to say England should look to the future. But Borthwick is a pragmatic coach and works in the present. It is likely that if Farrell starts the new season well with Saracens, he will be selected.
If his form replicates that from the end of the Lions tour, he would deserve a place in the extended squad at the very least.
Owen Farrell proved on tour with the Lions that he can still deliver at the highest level
Itoje is the man…
When Borthwick appointed Maro Itoje as England captain and demoted Jamie George to a foot soldier at the start of the year, eyebrows were raised. Now there can be no doubt who is England’s leader. Itoje wasn’t with England this summer as he was on duty skippering the Lions to a series win and successful tour.
Away from his day job, Borthwick would have watched on and been hugely impressed. Itoje has been a remarkable player for some time.
But he has grown into a true leader of men. Itoje, still only 30, will guide the England ship through to the 2027 World Cup. Of that there is no doubt.
Borthwick would have watched Maro Itoje expertly lead the Lions and been very impressed
R360 threat…
Away from the field, Borthwick and English rugby’s hierarchy will have learned this summer that the ongoing development of rugby’s proposed breakaway league R360 has the genuine potential to derail the national team’s progress.
R360 don’t want to ruin international rugby. But any England players who choose to join for the league’s scheduled start in September 2026 will have to give up their Test careers to do so.
That’s because RFU rules state England players must be employed by Premiership clubs. R360 is targeting players like Ford, George and Henry Slade, among others.
As previously reported by Daily Mail Sport, of the 23 England players who faced Wales at the end of the Six Nations, double figures are understood to have agreed in principle to join R360.
This could yet have a seismic impact on Borthwick’s England project and it will be fascinating to see how this development unfolds in the next 12 months. It’s definitely one to watch.
Rugby’s proposed breakaway league R360 are targeting players like Ford (pictured)
This is just the start…
Borthwick can be very pleased with England’s last two campaigns. They have shown the immense talent the country has. There has been undoubted progression.
But England have to improve again from here if they are to be able to beat the best consistently. November series matches against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina offer a tough challenge, but one this developing England team can undoubtedly rise to.