Steve Borthwick admits England need to bridge the gap between the Prem and Test rugby quickly if they’re to have a successful autumn campaign.
Australia’s visit to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday marks the start of the second phase of the inaugural Nations Championship. Borthwick knows England will need to raise their standards at the breakdown and in defence if they are to compete successfully.
While the Prem’s focus on attack has created some thrilling spectacles, it is inadequate preparation for the battles to come against the Wallabies, Japan and New Zealand.
The only round of Champions Cup action so far this season exposed English clubs to a different level of competition in defence and at the breakdown, as they managed just one win from eight matches.
Referee Christophe Ridley provided assistance in training at last week’s camp and also gave presentations to the squad in a bid to accelerate their readiness to take on Australia.
“The contact area in the Prem is different to Test rugby,” Borthwick said. “That was exemplified in Europe where the English clubs lost more ball and won back less ball at the breakdown than any other nation.
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“The other area is the emphasis and importance placed upon defence. We need to ensure that we make it very, very difficult for the opposition to score.
“One of the challenges is that we are refereed domestically by English referees when internationally, quite clearly, we will never have the English referees, so you need to get used to other interpretations.
“Having that European round pleased me because clearly players needed to be able to adjust. The best players are smart and the best players adjust.
“And I think it’s pretty obvious that over the last six to eight months, we haven’t adjusted and dealt with moments in the way we want to.”
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England have amassed 15 yellow cards in their eight Tests so far this year, including four in their most recent outing against Argentina in July. Borthwick believes going on the attack provides the solution to the indiscipline.
“Frankly, we spend too much time defending,” he said. “The way the interpretations are right now, as soon as you spend time defending there is likely to be a decision that goes against you.
“There has been an exponential increase in cards given – and not just by us. The vast majority of them are given when defending in your own 22.”
England are facing mounting problems at half-back ahead of Monday’s squad announcement after Alex Mitchell followed Fin Smith and Archie McParland into the treatment room.
Northampton Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell is an England injury worry ahead of the Nations Championship after departing early on Saturday
Mitchell has joined his Northampton team-mates in becoming a doubt against Australia after sustaining a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 28-14 victory over Gloucester.
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2026 Nations Championship November fixtures 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)
Finals Weekend (Twickenham)
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