TWENTY-THREE days ago, England embarked on their Autumn Internationals campaign full of hope and optimism. They had defeated the Irish in the Six Nations, and they had returned from their New Zealand series in the Summer with credibility. Things were on the up. Alas, no longer.

Three defeats out of four have left even the most optimistic England fans calling for change. Prior to the series, I wrote that England should expect three victories out of four this November. I expected England to run New Zealand and South Africa close and beat Australia and Japan comfortably. It did not quite play out as expected.

Could it have all been different if England had held on to their lead in the first test? The performance against New Zealand was spirited if not spectacular. Had England been able to get over the line, the confidence gained would have been immense. Next week, the wheels came off. The Australians are not the force of old and should not have been able to leave Twickenham with a victory. The manner of the defeat – conceding another late score having led for much of the game – was the proverbial sucker punch.

For ten minutes against South Africa, England looked really good. The opening try was a consequence of quick play and quick thinking. It was clinical. The world champions struck back with a vengeance, though, scoring in quick succession to take the lead and, ultimately, a comfortable victory. That left England nought from three. Gutting.

Yesterday’s performance was workmanlike. England overpowered an inexperienced Japan side. They won possession in the middle of the field, kicked for territory, and muscled the ball over the line. It worked very effectively. 

A year on from the World Cup, England have played twelve tests and won just five. Those stats aren’t good enough for a country with England’s infrastructure and resources. I said earlier that something needs to change, but what specifically?

Personnel, perhaps. Up front, Joe Marler has retired and Dan Cole looks unlikely to be a regular going forward. Yesterday’s bench of Fin Baxter and Asher Opoku-Fordjour – 22 and 20 respectively – look to be the future. It was good to see them given minutes. The locks – Maro Itoje and George Martin – are competitive against any of the world’s top sides. They should be left well alone. The back row may need tweaks more than overhauls. Sam Underhill impressed when finally given the opportunity to do so. England need to find three that gel. 

At 9, Alex Mitchell’s stock has grown in his absence. Expect him to walk straight back into the side. Almost everything good that has happened for England this Autumn has come through Marcus Smith. His undying desire for creativity is a joy to watch and he has looked more confident from the tee. The centres Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence weren’t seen to great effect, frankly. That isn’t entirely their own fault, of course. England’s playing style seemed to involve avoiding them at all costs. England’s back three options are solid, Feyi-Waboso will walk back into the side and Ollie Sleightholme’s delightful try yesterday will have certainly caught the eye. The rotation of George Furbank and Freddie Steward seems to work, horses for courses.

And what of the head coach, Steve Borthwick? Many remain critical. It is important to note that England are more competitive than they were during that bleak period of 2023 when defeats to Fiji and Wales left England fans wondering whether they’d even qualify from their group at the World Cup. Nonetheless, the feeling that progress has stalled a little cannot be shaken. Borthwick still has credit in the bank, but it might be running thin. 

For me, the playing style is the thing I’d most like to see change. There have been hints – such as those opening minutes against South Africa – but only hints. Last year, captain Jamie George referenced England’s cricket team and expressed a desire to play flamboyant rugby to get the fans back on side. It hasn’t materialised. Yesterday was a prime opportunity to experiment a little but England still opted for the pragmatic approach. It is disappointing. Honestly, other teams are more interesting to watch than England – I have great admiration for the way the Italians play even in defeat. In Smith, England have the perfect orchestrator around whom to build a team that plays with pace and flair. Maybe in the six nations we’ll see the centres with ball in hand a little more.

In summary, it has been a hugely disappointing time to be an England fans. The Six Nations will be upon us before we know it, and with it, the opportunity for redemption. England simply must win matches. And preferably with a little style, too.

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By Leon Parrott