Steve Borthwick’s England team capped off their Autumn Series with a dominant 59-14 win over Japan, ending a dismal run of five consecutive defeats. Despite the significant gap in quality between the two teams, Borthwick focused on the positives, celebrating the team’s attacking flair and the successful execution of their game plan. The nine-try victory, while satisfying, came with the caveat that Japan, with their young and less-experienced squad, presented less of a challenge compared to previous opponents like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
Borthwick acknowledged the frustration of a turbulent Autumn campaign but praised his players’ discipline and their ambition to keep playing a high-paced, attacking brand of rugby throughout the 80 minutes. "I'm really pleased with the way the players approached the game and the way they kept being disciplined to try to play the way they wanted to play for 80 minutes," said Borthwick. His assessment highlighted the team's growth in terms of ball movement, scoring ability, and the skill level demonstrated, especially in the last few weeks.
Captain Jamie George, who contributed with two tries from rolling mauls, was equally pleased with the team’s performance. He explained that, while the opposition may have been weak, the focus was on executing their game plan and testing their limits. "In terms of the execution of the game plan, I thought it was fantastic," George said.
Reflecting on the series as a whole, Borthwick emphasized the team's desire to learn and improve. Despite the frustration of earlier losses, he was encouraged by the growth in team cohesion and the willingness to play fast and stretch the game. "There’s been growth in that area over the last four weeks," he noted. Looking ahead, England’s preparations for the Six Nations in the New Year, with challenging matches against Ireland and France, will be crucial for further development.
Both Borthwick and George are optimistic about the future, focusing on the team's hunger for improvement and the exciting potential in their young squad. With an eye on the Six Nations, they believe England is moving in the right direction.
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