England need a big scalp this autumn – rousing win over All Blacks would be ideal

Chandler Cunningham-South of England is tackled during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Eden Park on July 13, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand.
England could do with a statement win against New Zealand to remind them they can win the big matches - Getty Images/Hannah Peters

The last embers of a turbulent summer were still glowing at an unseasonably mild Twickenham on Wednesday as Steve Borthwick addressed for the first time the shock resignations of Aled Walters and Felix Jones from his coaching team two months ago.

Have back-room staff members ever enjoyed such prominence? During the tenure of Eddie Jones, the comings and goings of coaches and support staff were such a regular occurrence that it barely passed as news.

Yet here was Borthwick expressing his disappointment and surprise at the departures of Walters and Jones and defending his regime and the environment it operates in by the number of “high-quality CVs” he was sent by coaches who wanted to replace them.

Most interesting of all was his strong expressions of hope that Phil Morrow, the highly vaunted performance director at Saracens, might yet join his team as Walters’ replacement by the end of the season, despite the Premiership clubs blocking a club and country job-share arrangement.

There are undoubtedly a few twists and turns to go on that front, but otherwise the England head coach was keen to draw a line in the sand and move on.

Steve Borthwick, the England head coach poses after the England Autumn Nations Series squad announcement press conference held at Allianz Stadium on October 16, 2024 in London, England.
England head coach Steve Borthwick is rolling with the punches after the departures of two of his coaches - Getty Images/David Rogers

“Changes have happened, sometimes they’re changes that are planned for and sometimes they’re changes that aren’t,” said Borthwick. “I think we’ve got a great management team, and it’s one I enjoy working with, and it’s one I think they enjoy being in the environment, and I think it’s a real elite team. So yes, but if something changes, it changes, and we adapt to it, that’s the nature of it.”

The contrast was provided by the selection of the 36-man squad for the autumn Test series, which underscored Borthwick’s desire for continuity and cohesion.

Jamie George continues as captain, Marcus Smith is set to resume at fly-half. Indeed, aside to Alex Mitchell’s neck problem that has ruled him out of the autumn, England are likely to field the same backline for the opening game against New Zealand on November 2, if Henry Slade can prove his fitness in time.

The only talking points surrounded injured players, with George Ford named for rehabilitation purposes, having promised his coach that he intends to beat the return-to-play target as he recovers from a quad injury, while Fraser Dingwall, who was next in line to replace Slade if he was not ready, is now also unavailable, opening the door for Alex Lozowski to make his first start for England since 2018.

England's Alex Lozowski during a training session at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London. October 8, 2024.
After a six-year absence Alex Lozowski is in the running to play in the autumn internationals - PA/Adam Davy

Significantly, it seems certain that Marcus Smith will continue at fly-half to spearhead England’s attacking game for the autumn, having started all three of England’s summer Tests.

The continuity of selection brings with it benefits in cohesion and experience, with Borthwick’s target to be able to consistently select a match-day squad with at least 900 caps – one of the key performance indicators for success. To reach that target England are likely to feature at least 20 players for every game.

Continuity builds vital experience

“We need to maximise every minute and make sure to build upon the previous minutes, build upon the previous experience,” Borthwick added. “It’s really important that we do that.

“What you’ve seen is this develop: if you look at the back three that’s played a lot of games recently together – Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Manny Feyi-Waboso – they don’t have a lot of caps in total but they have their caps together and that is really important for us.

“[Ollie] Lawrence and Slade haven’t played a lot together in the centres, but you have seen them do it this year and you have seen them develop. So that continuity is an important aspect.”

England's Henry Slade tries to elude Italy's Tommaso Menoncello during their Six Nations match at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy, February 3, 2024
Henry Slade is in a race against time to be fit for England’s encounter with New Zealand on 2 November - Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Yet while the signs that England were starting to benefit from this stability were evident on the summer tour, with two narrow defeats by New Zealand, there is a growing sense that Borthwick’s side need at least one statement victory this autumn to demonstrate both to the players and supporters that the direction of travel has real substance.

The victory over Ireland at Twickenham in March remains the only one of the year against a team ranked above England in the world rankings, and the current win ratio stands at just 50 per cent from the eight Tests.

Statement win required

“As this team develops and matures, then I think we will understand closing those games, finishing the job,” Borthwick admitted. “That is their key job. Make sure the team continues the good work of getting themselves in a position to win the games and then finish the job.

“Part of that comes with being in those situations. You would love to accelerate experience. We have to make sure we reflect on our performances and learn the lessons super fast.”

One thing is certain. The off-field saga of the summer will instantly be forgotten if England can open their campaign with a rousing victory over the All Blacks, or by avenging their semi-final defeat by South Africa in last year’s World Cup. It is time to push on.