The most marked aspect is in the way they are playing, especially when you consider where they were when Eddie Jones left Twickenham almost two years ago.
The limbo then, with players coming and going, was reminiscent of the England low points in the 1980s and the mid-late 2000s – and I hated the way that England were playing, and wasn’t all that interested in watching them.
Following that, the 2023 World Cup was a holding operation, and getting to the semi-finals was a job well done considering how badly the team played in the World Cup warm-ups.
The progress since then has not all been smooth, especially the early games in this year’s Six Nations, but the win over Ireland and narrow loss to France was a watershed in England’s approach – and it continued in New Zealand.
The overall level of England’s performance in the two Tests against the All Blacks was for me a 7.5 or 8/10. They were competitive, and good to watch, and I enjoyed a lot of what I saw, and was not overly annoyed that they didn’t take all their chances. These tours provide an opportunity to learn, and to grow, and this England squad should bank the experience and be better for it despite the disappointment of losing both Tests by small margins.
If England had played New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup there would only have been one winner, with the All Blacks probably 20 points or more better, especially in good conditions. Almost a year later England have played well and been competitive against New Zealand in an away summer series, and now they know that if they improve further they have a good chance of beating the All Blacks at Twickenham in the first of the autumn Tests.
It is now about Borthwick’s team evolving and growing, and getting on with it rather than thinking that it might be better if the NZ match was at the end of the autumn series.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
