What a distinction a 12 months makes.
Only a 12 months has handed because the RFU felt compelled to again Steve Borthwick following 5 straight defeats.
By the tip of 2025, these questions over his future had been silenced as 11 wins in 12 Exams showcased England’s capability to shut out tight video games and new-found squad depth.
A second‑place Six Nations end, a Take a look at collection victory in Argentina with out senior British and Irish Lions, and a flawless autumn capped by victory over the All Blacks underscored England’s rise.
With England cementing their standing as one among world rugby’s rising powers, we glance again on a 12 months the place Borthwick’s imaginative and prescient was outlined – and forward to what 2026 could maintain.
Six Nations salvaged after Dublin drubbing
For all that England now look in a commanding place, the opening months of 2025 hardly impressed confidence.
Borthwick’s males started their Six Nations in Dublin, the place a 5‑level half‑time lead unravelled. Outplayed after the break, they trailed 27-10 till two late tries salvaged a scarcely plausible dropping bonus level – one which finally lifted them above Eire into second place within the remaining desk.
Week two introduced a Houdini‑like escape at Twickenham. France squandered a number of gilt‑edged probabilities earlier than Elliot Daly struck on the demise to grab victory.
Spherical three was far much less convincing: Scotland dominated territory, England’s detrimental techniques drew boos, and solely Finn Russell’s missed conversion spared them defeat.
Italy arrived in spherical 4, and although England ultimately ran in seven tries, the competition was far tighter than the scoreline urged. For 43 minutes the guests matched them blow for blow earlier than a decisive three‑attempt burst.
Regardless of uneven kind, England saved discovering methods to win, remaining within the title race till the ultimate spherical for the primary time since 2020. France claimed the trophy, however Cardiff could but be remembered because the delivery of this new England aspect.
On the Principality Stadium, Borthwick’s prices minimize free, operating in 68 factors in opposition to Wales. Debutant Henry Pollock added two tries, a becoming image of England’s transformation.
Depth unearthed in Argentina
Borthwick needed to navigate England’s summer season excursions and not using a sizeable portion of the squad that had mounted the encouraging fightback from defeat in Dublin.
From established stalwarts equivalent to Maro Itoje, Tom Curry and Ellis Genge to the much less‑established Fin Smith and Pollock, Andy Farrell known as on 13 England gamers to hitch his British and Irish Lions in Australia.
By the tip of the tour, that quantity had risen to fifteen after Farrell’s son, Owen, and Jamie George had been drafted in as damage cowl. The disruption was greatest illustrated when George left the England camp on the eve of the second Take a look at in opposition to Argentina in San Juan to undertake a 4‑flight, 47‑hour sprint to Australia.
However removed from being a hindrance, Borthwick embraced the prospect to blood the subsequent technology, with England reaping the rewards of his foresight ever since.
Marshalled by fly‑half George Ford, the likes of Man Pepper, Tom Roebuck, Alex Coles, Fin Baxter, and Joe Heyes proved themselves match for the Take a look at enviornment as England clinched a 2-0 collection victory over the Pumas – crucially laying the foundations for the autumn to come back.
Pom Squad level of distinction in excellent autumn
Quick ahead to the autumn, and England had been in a vastly totally different place in comparison with the Six Nations, prepared to mix confidence from robust Lions illustration, a bolder attacking outlook, and the depth constructed on their profitable summer season tour of Argentina and america.
That depth produced the so‑known as “Pom squad,” echoing South Africa’s famed “bomb squad.” The tactic – holding again high gamers on the bench earlier than unleashing them en masse within the second half – was one Borthwick’s England employed to nice impact.
England’s ‘Pom Squad’ was employed to nice impact this autumn
Towards Australia, 5 modifications within the 51st minute swung the match. With the rating delicately poised at 10-7, Pollock, Curry, Genge, Luke Cowan‑Dickie, and Will Stuart injected energy. Inside eight minutes Pollock crossed for an outstanding attempt, and Cowan‑Dickie added one other late on.
Per week later, England repeated the trick in opposition to Fiji. With the rating 21-18, Pollock, Curry, George, Baxter, and Asher Opoku‑Fordjour entered collectively, adopted by Henry Arundell and Itoje. Within the remaining quarter, George, Arundell, and Itoje all scored to seal victory.
England saved their greatest for the All Blacks, overturning a 12-0 deficit to win 33-19 at Twickenham – their first conquer New Zealand at dwelling since 2012. Ollie Lawrence’s return from damage was sensational, whereas Roebuck’s late attempt capped one other robust end.
Although practically undone by Argentina, England prolonged their successful run to 11 Exams. With rising stars like Pollock and Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso complementing seasoned leaders, Borthwick now instructions a squad peaking on the proper time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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Sky Sports activities Information’ James Cole breaks down England’s 27-23 victory in opposition to Argentina.
Grand Slam alternative knocks in 2026?
As satisfying as victory over the All Blacks and an 11‑recreation successful streak could also be, they are going to finally rely for little until they propel England to tangible success.
The following take a look at of England’s 2025 progress comes within the Six Nations, the place Borthwick and his gamers should goal a Grand Slam.
With dwelling fixtures in opposition to Wales and Eire – either side in various phases of transition – and journeys to Scotland and Italy in rounds three and 4, this resurgent England ought to arrive in Paris with 4 wins within the financial institution, if this autumn is something to go by.
There can be no disgrace in dropping to France however England should arrive on the recreation with the prospect of securing a primary Grand Slam in a decade nonetheless on the desk.
Had been they to realize that, it could prolong their successful run to 16 video games, simply two shy of the report 18 set beneath Eddie Jones between October 2015 and March 2017.
The inaugural Nations Championship presents a further measure of progress, starting with rugby’s acid take a look at: in opposition to South Africa, in South Africa.
The Springboks stay the game’s dominant drive, however England are firmly among the many chasing pack. How a lot they’ll shut that hole – or whether or not they can in any respect – over the subsequent 12 months stays to be seen.
