Borthwick admits England must bridge the Prem‑Test divide swiftly, or their autumn campaign will falter. Can they make the leap in time?
Australia hits Allianz Stadium this Sunday, kicking off the Nations Championship’s second phase. You’ll need England to boost breakdown intensity and tighten defence to compete.
Premiership flair has delivered fireworks, yet it leaves the squad ill‑prepared for the gritty clashes against the Wallabies, Japan and the All Blacks.
The lone Champions Cup round this season showed English clubs struggling defensively, managing only one win from eight games.
Referee Christophe Ridley joined last week’s camp, offering training help and briefing the squad to speed up their readiness for Australia.
Borthwick noted the Prem’s contact area differs from Test rugby, citing European matches where English clubs lost more ball and reclaimed less at the breakdown than any other nation.
He added that defence must become a fortress, making it extremely hard for opponents to score.
Domestically we’re used to English referees, but internationally we’ll face different interpretations, so we must adapt.
The European round pleased me because it forced players to adjust; the smartest players always find a way.
It’s clear we haven’t adapted over the past six to eight months, missing key moments we need.
England have collected 15 yellow cards in eight Tests this year, four of them against Argentina in July. For my money, a more attacking mindset will curb this indiscipline.
We waste too much energy defending, and the current rulings punish us for it.
Cards have risen sharply, not just for us, and most are issued when teams defend inside their own 22.
Half‑back options thin out ahead of Monday’s squad call as Alex Mitchell joins Fin Smith and Archie McParland on the treatment table.
Mitchell, alongside his Northampton colleagues, now doubts his availability against Australia after a hamstring strain in Saturday’s 28‑14 win over Gloucester.
2026 Nations Championship November schedule and July results
Friday November 6
Ireland vs Argentina (8.10pm)
Saturday November 7
Italy vs South Africa (11.40am)
Scotland vs New Zealand (2.10pm)
Wales vs Japan (4.40pm)
France vs Fiji (8.10pm)
Sunday November 8
England vs Australia (3.10pm)
Friday November 13
France vs South Africa (8.10pm)
Saturday November 14
Italy vs Argentina (11.40am)
Wales vs New Zealand (2.10pm)
England vs Japan (4.40pm)
Ireland vs Fiji (8.10pm)
Sunday November 15
Scotland vs Australia (3.10pm)
Saturday November 21
England vs New Zealand (2.10pm)
Scotland vs Japan (2.10pm)
Ireland vs South Africa (4.40pm)
Italy vs Fiji (4.40pm)
France vs Argentina (8.10pm)
Wales vs Australia (8.10pm)
November 27
Sixth‑place North vs Sixth‑place South, Third‑place North vs Third‑place South
November 28
Fifth‑place North vs Fifth‑place South, Second‑place North vs Second‑place South
November 29
Fourth‑place North vs Fourth‑place South, First‑place North vs First‑place South
July 4
New Zealand 34-32 France
Japan 27-10 Italy
South Africa 45-21 England
Australia 31-33 Ireland
Fiji 24-39 Wales
Argentina 38-47 Scotland
July 11
New Zealand 47-17 Italy
Japan 20-36 Ireland
South Africa 42-28 Scotland
Australia 26-42 France
Fiji 8-73 England
Argentina 35-21 Wales
July 18
Japan 15-42 France
Australia 57-10 Italy
South Africa 43-0 Wales
New Zealand 40-21 Ireland
Fiji 17-33 Scotland
Argentina 24-31 England