England launch their autumn internationals campaign by welcoming the All Blacks to the Allianz Stadium [Twickenham] on Saturday. In the forthcoming weeks they will also host Australia, South Africa, and Japan. What would represent a good return for Steve Borthwick’s side?

This year’s Six Nations provided hope and frustration. Victory against the Irish demonstrated the progress that has been made so far, but defeats at the hands of Scotland and France meant mid-table mediocrity once more. More recently, England ran New Zealand close in a two-test series in July, losing by a combined eight points.

England make just four changes from the side that suffered defeat at Eden Park. Ellis Genge returns at loosehead, Tom Curry returns to the back row, Ben Spencer replaces the injured Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and George Furbank returns to displace Freddie Steward at full back. Mitchell’s ACL injury has offered Spencer the chance to represent his country from the start for the first time having consistently impressed for Bath. Teammate Sam Underhill can consider himself hugely unlucky to miss out on the 23 altogether.

The way that Ben Spencer and Marcus Smith combine could prove to be the crucial factor in England’s success, or lack thereof. Smith remains hugely exciting and positive thinking, but fans will expect to see some steadiness and solidity from a player that has sufficient experience now to be comfortable at international level. Conversely, Spencer has been criticised for box-kicking too much at times rather than looking to play. Will they be able to strike the right balance? 

Furbank’s return in particular should be celebrated. A back three of Furbank, Freeman, and Feyi-Waboso [cue clever alliterative nickname] provides potential for early firework celebrations. That is nothing against Freddie Steward, who has served England exceptionally well and may remain an option when a more pragmatic gameplan is required. Elsewhere, the combination of Maro Itoje and George Martin at lock has the talent to threaten even the best in the world. 

England XV: Furbank, Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman, M Smith, Spencer, Genge, George (c), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, T Curry, Earl.

England’s visitors remain formidable. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson celebrates a year in charge and his New Zealand team remain as threatening as ever. They name Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan in their back three which would provide an interesting benchmark against which to measure their opposite numbers in the England team.

New Zealand XV: Jordan, Tele’a, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke, B Barrett, Ratima, Williams, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (c), Vaa’i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.

Australia are next. Coach Joe Schmidt took over after a disappointing World Cup campaign and performances have been extremely mixed. However, they also ran New Zealand close in their most recent meeting. England will expect to get the better of the Wallabies but their unpredictable nature means that the fixture should be approached with due care and attention.

In the third match, the world champions visit with rugby goliaths in every position. England will be aiming to avenge the semi-final heartbreak suffered at the hands of the Springboks at the Stade de France last year. More importantly though, South Africa will provide England with the opportunity to test themselves against the very best and gauge the advancement they have made in the last twelve months.

In the last of the four matches, England are reunited with former head coach Eddie Jones. The cherry blossoms head to Twickenham to seek revenge on an England team that defeated them convincingly in Tokyo as recently as June. 

To answer my initial question, I would suggest that England should be targeting three wins out of four. That means that one of New Zealand or South Africa would need to be defeated.

Ultimately, the result can be forgiven this early in a World Cup cycle, but England must play a brand of rugby that gets the fans on-side. I believe this team can deliver. And do so in style.

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By Leon Parrott