Category: Rugby Union

Centre pairing of Northampton duo Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall is unconventional but exciting, as is the depth of England’s squad

Optimism is often manufactured at the start of a campaign. Everyone goes in believing they can win every game, but there is a mood of true optimism around England before the autumn series. Considering they have won their last seven matches, had their best finish to a Six Nations for five years, and then won a summer series in Argentina, I think it’s fair to have confidence. Argentina beat the British & Irish Lions and England won there despite having 13 players away in Australia, plus one of the coaches.

The amount of Prem players excelling and the level in that competition also makes me excited for what England can achieve in November, starting with Australia on Saturday. Steve Borthwick is growing into the job and is more confident in what he’s doing: turbulence may not be the right word for the early days of his tenure, but I think people expected more. As fans we want immediate results, but coaches tend to have a “helicopter” view and understand the direction of travel.

Steve Borthwick has opted for the Northampton centre, his ‘glue’ player, over an array of talented England backs

Even Steve Borthwick admits that picking his team to face Australia on Saturday was tricky. And even after he had made his mind up, there was a training ground snapshot which underlined the slim margins involved. “There was a piece of play where the skill showed by the team not starting was absolutely incredible,” said Borthwick. “I couldn’t praise them highly enough for the way they tested the team that is starting.”

Which neatly sums up England’s intensifying backline debate. Ollie Lawrence, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell, Henry Slade, Cadan Murley and Max Ojomoh are all fit and can’t even make the matchday 23. Not to mention the up-and-coming Noah Caluori. Nor Owen Farrell. Let alone the injured Elliot Daly, George Furbank, Seb Atkinson, Ollie Sleightholme and Will Muir.

• Head coach may also consider playing Ben Earl at centre

• Marcus Smith left out of matchday 23 to face Australia

Steve Borthwick is considering playing his fast-rising back-row Henry Pollock on the wing at some stage this autumn as he seeks fresh impetus in all areas before the looming November Tests.

The England head coach says he wants his side to hit the ground running against Australia on Saturday and may also start Ben Earl at centre this season.

• Sale No 10’s tactical nous may earn him start on Saturday

• Tommy Freeman in contention for outside-centre spot

George Ford is likely to start at fly-half when England begin their autumn internationals campaign against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Sale Sharks No 10 enjoyed an outstanding summer tour with Steve Borthwick’s side, helping to orchestrate two victories against Argentina and one against the USA, and appears to have stated a strong case for selection.

• 19-year-old wing scored five tries on first Prem start

• Borthwick has picked 36-player squad for four matches

Noah Caluori, the 19-year-old ­Saracens wing, has been named in England’s autumn internationals squad by Steve Borthwick.

Caluori burst on to the Prem scene by scoring five tries against Sale on 18 October and, as England gear up for a busy November featuring four Tests, Borthwick has called up the uncapped youngster after initially inviting him to a training camp last week. The 36-player squad, including 19 forwards and 17 backs, gathered at Pennyhill Park in Surrey on Sunday night.